With the multiple uses and applications of metal beads, cones and dumbbells being added to our 21st century fly creations…I ask you this? Is fishing a plastic bead on your fly fishing rig (either on the leader by itself or built into a fly) an acceptable fishing method as a fly fisher? I, being from the “old school” methodologies of fly fishing/fly tying, think of fishing flies as creations from feathers and fur on a metal hook and look at plastic beads as an artificial bait. Sounds pretty hypocritical coming from a tube fly enthusiast who is always “pushing the envelope” in modern tube fly designs! I guess I’m just curious on how you feel about the matter because I have crossed the line!
Bead fishing is not a new “fly fishing” technique, just one that is often kept a secret. Kind of a “closet case” scenario to those who know about their effectiveness! Fly fishing with an “attractor” egg pattern like a glo bug, nuke egg or even a “glue” egg (yes, I’m referring too…hot melt glue on a bare hook) is an essential element for consistently catching steelhead in the Great Lakes region. So why is fishing a plastic bead looked down upon by the masses? I have a solution…turn your basic fishing beads into tube fly egg beads and “feel good about it”…I have!
The bead fishing revolution is gaining clout amongst the Centerpin anglers in the eastern reaches of the Great Lakes with astonishing results. I know this for a fact…since one of the “kingpin” offenders is my best friend and he’s constantly shares his results which are sometimes unbelievable (I have tons of picture proof in my possession)!! But, I still can not peg a plain plastic bead with bare hook on the end of my tippet and call it…fly fishing! Sounds crazy but true and this is where converting these fishing beads into a tube fly makes fishing them a little easier!
I will say this…they’re incredibly affective if presented with a natural dead drift along the bottom! I’ve been doing a little “field testing” for myself lately (our local silver salmon run has made great test subjects) and will share a few images as proof! Tube Fly Bead Eggz are now going to be a staple part of my steelhead arsenal from this day forward and I don’t care what anyone says about my new technique…I like catching fish too much! If you want “yours truly” to stop using plastics beads with plastic tubing (which would be utterly impossible for a tube fly fisher/tier) then you need to throw away all of your beadheads, coneheads and dumbbells in the process! Don’t worry…I will share the tying (converting) techniques with you soon…I promise!
Happy Bead Fishing, Tony Pags
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