Bead-Head Fly Patterns On Rise

The rapid increase in the popularity of bead-head flies the last couple of years is reflected in the lists of the most popular patterns tied in 1994 by Terry Tyed Flies, one of the oldest flytying firms in the Inland Northwest.

Virginia Splawn, co-owner of the firm, said bead-head patterns were among the most popular nymphs ordered by the company’s customers last year.

The Hare’s Ear Nymph and the TDC, a chironomid pupa imitation, topped the list of the most popular wet flies and nymphs, followed by a variety of bead-head patterns.

The Hare’s Ear Nymph, popular with both stream and lake fly fishers, has led the list for several years. The TDC, created by a Coast biologist, was the first popular chironomid pupa pattern and is still highly effective.

Bead-head patterns are actually only standard flies tied with bead heads. Fly tiers have been threading bead heads on such patterns as the Hare’s Ear Nymph, Pheasant Tail Nymph, the Prince Nymph, Zug Bug, Swannundaze Pupa and other simulations of caddis, mayfly, stonefly and damselfly nymphs, as well as steelhead patterns, for several seasons. However, they didn’t become popular with the majority of fly fishers until a couple of seasons ago.

Besides the standard center-drilled beads, fly shops are selling tungsten, specially-plated and glass beads in a variety of colors and sizes.

The tungsten beads, which are twice as heavy as brass, are effective when fly fishers fish deep, fast water.

Bead-head flies are popular because they catch fish. When fished right, they’re surprisingly effective. Nearly all fly fishers fish the bead-head flies under indicators.

Producers of TV fly fishing shows that feature celebrities must produce good footage. Their usual solution is to have guides rig bead-head patterns below indicators. Even the most inept celebrities catch fish.

Bead-head patterns are as effective at lakes as they are at streams.

Incidentally, center-drilled beads are still quite expensive, selling for $2 to $3 for 24 of the standard metal beads and $4.95 for 25 tungsten beads.

Most popular wet fly and nymph patterns on the Terry Tyed Flies list for 1994 reflects the fact that the majority of anglers who buy the firm’s flies fish lakes. Most of the patterns represent such insects as damselfly nymphs, dragonfly nymphs and the nymphs of mayflies that hatch mostly in still water.

As usual, the Renegade and Adams are at the top of the list of the most popular dry flies. They’ve headed the list for several years. Both patterns are excellent all-purpose dry flies. The Renegade is especially effective on cutthroat and is considered a must pattern by many fly fishers who fish lakes where there are cutthroat and at North Idaho’s popular cutthroat streams.

The dry fly list includes some attractor patterns, including the Royal Coachman, Muddler Minnow and the Stimulator.

The Muddler heads the list of the most popular trolling flies and streamers. Anglers who troll for rainbows at Lake Roosevelt and the Potholes Reservoir, for example, fish big Muddlers and often tip the hook with a piece of nightcrawler.

Terry Tyed Flies includes Woolly Worms, Carey Specials, the Six Pack, Jolly Green Giant and leech patterns on its list of trolling flies and streamers.

Terry Tyed Flies’ most popular patterns, in order of their popularity:

Dry flies: 1, Renegade; 2, Adams; 3, Terry’s Black Ant; 4, Royal Wulff; 5, Elk Hair Caddis; 6, St. Joe Special; 7, Black Hannah; 8, Humpy; 9, Irresistible; 10, Buck Caddis; 11, Stimulator, 12, Nelson Caddis; 13, Joe’s Hopper; 14, Muddler Minnow; 15, Mayfly Vein Wing; 16, Blue Dun; 17, Mosquito; 18, FFF; 19, Parachute Dun; 20, Werner’s Shrimp.

Nymphs and wet flies: 1, Hare’s Ear; 2, TDC; 3, Bead-head patterns; 4, Sand Fly Nymph; 5, Damselfly Nymph; 6, Dragonfly Nymph; 7, Jock Nymph; 8, Humpy Hellgramite; 9, San Juan Worm; 10, Sedge Bug; 11, Water Boatman, 12, Montana Nymph; 13, Beaverpelt; 14, Ed’s Hellgramite; 15, Heather Nymph; 16, Zug Bug; 17, Doc Spratley; 18, Nygeres Nymph; 19, Black Stonefly.

Streamers and trolling flies: 1, Muddler; 2, Deep Lake Special; 3, Dragonfly Nymph; 4, Woolly Bugger; 5, Carey Special; 6, Woolly Worm; 7, Black Leech; 8, Red Streamer; 9, Bucktail Coachman; 10, Six Pack; 11, Jolly Green Giant; 12, Woggle Eye; 13, Brown Leech; 14, Doc Spratley; 15, Minnow Streamer; 16, Yellow Spider; 17, Maroon Leech; 18, Brown Streamer, 19, Montana Bucktail; 20, Sofa Pillow.

Steelhead: 1, Muddler; 2, Skunk, 3, Bucktail Coachman; 4, Woggle Eye; 5, Freight Train;, 6, Crystal Bullet; 7, Egg Sucking Leech; 8, Purple Peril; 9, Skykomish Sunrise; 10, egg patterns.

You can contact Fenton Roskelley by voice mail at 459-5576, extension 3814.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Fenton Roskelly The Spokesman-Review