"W. D. Grey" wrote So many beads just won't go round the bend of the
hook that I've given
up so frequently!

Of course you could always use a tiny bit of lead wire. Beat the wire
flat and lay it either over or under the hook, tying it in under the
body material. It doesn't significantly increase the body girth and
definitely sinks the nymph.

There are specific hook styles that suit specific beads. It's been years
since I had a bead "fitting" problem simply because trial and error will
lead you to which hook styles suit which beads...

--
Clark Reid
http://www.dryflynz.com
Umpqua Designer Flytier