traditional nymphs vs. bead heads?

Guy writes:

My preference has been to
not use split shot due to the problems with casting and wind knots.

That can be a problem when using split shot. It has a hinge effect. Best way
to do it is to make a circle cast. Lefty Kreh demonstrated it once at a show.
When your fly gets down stream, simply pick it up and cast upstream in one
motion. It ain't pretty, but it works. No false casting involved.

Have you, or anyone, experienced a definite increase with the use of bead
heads compared to traditional weighted nymphs? (Yes, a loaded question).

I don't know, but I really don't consider using the bead an advantage. They
probably serve a purpose in some anglers bag of tricks, but I have yet to
really see a difference.

It depends on what you are tying. on longer flies such as a wooly bugger or
leech it adds an undulating motion - the up down motion on the retrieve as well
as adding an attractant depending upon the bead color. But this can also be
done with lead wire and crystal flash. It is a good and fast solution to many
fly enhancements (flash, motion, sinking ability esp with tungsten)

On the other hand I sometime felt that the bead heads on some flies were so
common on a stream that it was a tip off to the trout that it was an artificial
and not to be eaten.

just some thoughts ....
Steve Egge

"Guy Thornberg" wrote:

????
Opinions.
Never tied them.
Weight, appearance, results, more?
G

It depends on what you are tying. on longer flies such as a wooly bugger or
leech it adds an undulating motion - the up down motion on the retrieve as well
as adding an attractant depending upon the bead color. But this can also be
done with lead wire and crystal flash. It is a good and fast solution to many
fly enhancements (flash, motion, sinking ability esp with tungsten)

On the other hand I sometime felt that the bead heads on some flies were so
common on a stream that it was a tip off to the trout that it was an artificial
and not to be eaten.

just some thoughts ....
Steve Egge

"Guy Thornberg" wrote:

????
Opinions.
Never tied them.
Weight, appearance, results, more?
G

Guy Thornberg wrote:
????
Opinions.
Never tied them.
Weight, appearance, results, more?

I don't notice much difference between beaded nymphs and using split
shot as far as fishing goes, *BUT* it's much easier and faster to switch
from beaded nymphs to dry when a hatch starts poppin'.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Guy Thornberg wrote:
????
Opinions.
Never tied them.
Weight, appearance, results, more?

I don't notice much difference between beaded nymphs and using split
shot as far as fishing goes, *BUT* it's much easier and faster to switch
from beaded nymphs to dry when a hatch starts poppin'.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

irate (Dave LaCourse) wrote in
:

Guy writes:

My preference has been to
not use split shot due to the problems with casting and wind knots.

That can be a problem when using split shot. It has a hinge effect.
Best way to do it is to make a circle cast. Lefty Kreh demonstrated
it once at a show. When your fly gets down stream, simply pick it up
and cast upstream in one motion. It ain't pretty, but it works. No
false casting involved.

Have you, or anyone, experienced a definite increase with the use of
bead heads compared to traditional weighted nymphs? (Yes, a loaded
question).

I don't know, but I really don't consider using the bead an
advantage. They probably serve a purpose in some anglers bag of
tricks, but I have yet to really see a difference.









I really like using split shot, but NY banned the sale of lead shot. I
am I little concerned that the no-lead stuff is too hard on my leader.

One of my favorite methods is to use a beadhead, with a trailing non-bead
tie of the same fly. I think it doubles my chances of getting a drift at
the right level.

Scott

irate (Dave LaCourse) wrote in
:

Guy writes:

My preference has been to
not use split shot due to the problems with casting and wind knots.

That can be a problem when using split shot. It has a hinge effect.
Best way to do it is to make a circle cast. Lefty Kreh demonstrated
it once at a show. When your fly gets down stream, simply pick it up
and cast upstream in one motion. It ain't pretty, but it works. No
false casting involved.

Have you, or anyone, experienced a definite increase with the use of
bead heads compared to traditional weighted nymphs? (Yes, a loaded
question).

I don't know, but I really don't consider using the bead an
advantage. They probably serve a purpose in some anglers bag of
tricks, but I have yet to really see a difference.









I really like using split shot, but NY banned the sale of lead shot. I
am I little concerned that the no-lead stuff is too hard on my leader.

One of my favorite methods is to use a beadhead, with a trailing non-bead
tie of the same fly. I think it doubles my chances of getting a drift at
the right level.

Scott

Guy Thornberg wrote:

????
Opinions.
Never tied them.
Weight, appearance, results, more?
G



I think that adding weight to the leader instead of using a weighted
nymph of any sort lets you be more flexible. By adding and subtracting
weight as needed, it allows you to put the fly in the right place in the
water column in varying conditions. That, IMO, is far more important to
success than fly choice or any other factor. I prefer unweighted nymphs
with added weight.

Willi

Tim J. wrote:
Guy Thornberg wrote:

????
Opinions.
Never tied them.
Weight, appearance, results, more?


I don't notice much difference between beaded nymphs and using split
shot as far as fishing goes, *BUT* it's much easier and faster to switch
from beaded nymphs to dry when a hatch starts poppin'.


Why is that? You just cut off thew nymph and slide off the weight? Not
too hard.

Willi

Willi & Sue wrote:
Tim J. wrote:
Guy Thornberg wrote:

????
Opinions.
Never tied them.
Weight, appearance, results, more?


I don't notice much difference between beaded nymphs and using split
shot as far as fishing goes, *BUT* it's much easier and faster to
switch from beaded nymphs to dry when a hatch starts poppin'.

Why is that? You just cut off thew nymph and slide off the weight?
Not too hard.

The split shot I've used has either a tendency to slide around on the
tippet if too loose, or cause abrasion to the tippet if tight enough to
stay put. Maybe I'm not doing something right. Ideas?
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj