Hooks and bead help please

[tomleslie16]

Hi,

Im going to start trying to tie my own river flies like ptn and hares ears.

What sort of sizes are best and what size beads match what size hooks.

Also what colour beads and what material?

Also pls may someone recomend a good brand of barbless hooks for the above nymphs

Many thanks
Tom

[mayflyjunky]

Hi

Check out Dwiltshire on the forum, he has a great link called river fly box as his signature.

I am in the same boat and certainly can't complain about the help ive recieved from the guys on the forum.

Its hard to beat spidersplus for barbless hooks and very helpfull too.

[john_mac]

I would recommend the fly tying boutique for barbless hooks, the dohiku range are fantastic, but may be slightly larger than you expect.
Flytying Boutique - for unusual and interesting materials
as for beads, I would reommend the following bead size/hook sizes
size 10: 3mm-3.8mm
size 12: 2.8mm-3.5mm
size 14: 2.4mm-3mm
size 16: 2mm-2.8mm
size 18: 1.5mm-2mm
If I was restricted to one size for each:
size 10: 3.3mm
size 12: 3mm
size 14: 2.5mm
size 16: 2.4mm
size 18: 2mm

If I was you I would look at: Tungsten beads . co . UK and just get a selection of beads in various sizes.

cheers,

John

[spidersplus]

Tom,

I guess that I am a little late to add my two pence worth - John Mac has given you a great listing for bead sizes.

For colours, think in terms of gold for coloured water, copper and brown for when the water is clearer and gold might be a little too flashy - and you can never go wrong with black.

For PTNs with added attraction, consider a coloured bead in the thorax area -orange, pink, green - all will work and or course pink is a must use colour for Grayling.

The following website will give you details as to which beads fit which hook sizes:

http://www.flytyingboutique.com/stor...=35&category=2

The Dohiku hooks are really strong and with a long spear, offer great hooking.

If you are concerned as to sizes, let me know which you are interested in and I can take some photos of those hooks against a ruler for you.

Kind regards

[chickenfish]

Hi Tom,

One trick that i use when tying with beads is to wrap some fine (dependant on fly/bead size) lead wire around the bare hook and then slide it up into the hollow in the bead. I always do this as it secures the bead and adds extra weight. You can continue the lead along the shank to give a leaded underboady or just use 3-4 turns and push it right into the bead and keep a slim body. Once the lead is in place, tye in the thread directly behind it and then add a touch of superglue. It really works well for me.