Leaded nymphs

[wingman]

I've been tying a few nymphs of late and most of them are unweighted as I prefer to fish nymphs that have a freeer more natural movement while in the water. That said I would like to get down deeper in the water as this is where nymphing is most productive and after watching a Davie McPhail clip of him tying a nymph useing flat sticky backed lead, I wondered if anyone could recommend a good brand to use. I've used normal lead but I find the process of superglueing and fixing to the shank rather tedious and cumbersome at times but I am aware that the sticky backed stuff doesn't exactly go with a good reputation. Obviously there are other ways to get the nymphs down, sink-tips, sinking lines, tungsten beads or wire as used for the PTN but it would be nice to have a few weighted nymphs in the box for those deeper drifts where fish lie on warmer or colder days. Sorry a bit long winded but any advice would be appreciated..

cheers

mark

[SharkeyP]

Veniards do self adhesive flat lead. Apparently craft shops sell it for doll's house roofs if you want a lot for less.

SharkeyP

[wingman]

Thanks Sharkeyp I'll look into that, I could always nick it off the roof of the wee girls dolls house next door (undercover of the night ofcourse)

[monkeyhanger]

This is better than the sticky sheet stuff.
Seems to have a higher lead content so it goes down faster.

Flat Lead Strip - Fly Tying

John H

[cax]

I think that tungsten beads are the best way to get the nymph down. A 2.8mm tungsten bead is much heavier than a lead foil under-body. You can get them in a wide variety of colours now, but i like the gold beads the best some swear by copper and even black coloured ones. But i think the gold colour attracts the attention of the trout better.

I have also used the adhesive lead foil and i have never had any problems with it. It was made by verinards and it is easy enough to use. I just don't like using it on small nymphs as you cant get enough on to add any decent amount of weight.

[wingman]

Thanks monkeyhanger (curious name there) the extra fine looks about right and veniards also, i'll probably just be useing it under the thorax area so the extra lead content will help in that respect.

[wingman]

Originally Posted by cax

I think that tungsten beads are the best way to get the nymph down. A 2.8mm tungsten bead is much heavier than a lead foil under-body. You can get them in a wide variety of colours now, but i like the gold beads the best some swear by copper and even black coloured ones. But i think the gold colour attracts the attention of the trout better.

I have also used the adhesive lead foil and i have never had any problems with it. It was made by verinards and it is easy enough to use. I just don't like using it on small nymphs as you cant get enough on to add any decent amount of weight.

Thanks Cax, I've not really tied with tungsten beads that much but I have fished one or two and they are very good for getting depth quickly. Veniards keeps coming up so sounds like a good bet.

[bill1]

A short time back, somebody posted about adhesive lead that golfers use on their clubs - much cheaper apparently.

I imagine it would be on the thick and heavy side but next time you're down the golf club networking the county and exchanging masonic handshakes, it might be worth asking.

[stevekale]

Yep golf pro shops sell it. Much cheaper. It's used to increase swing weight of clubs. Same stuff.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=golf+lead+tape

[wobbly face]

Hi Mark
You can get tungsten thorax, like beads they thread onto the hook. They are elongated to a taper at one end. Come in different sizes.
Just remember the proper name, "teardrops".