Flyboy, aren't the Kobuk, Noatuk and Koyoukuk rivers too far North for Rainbows?

I thought the main fish in those streams were Sheefish, Pike, Grayling, Chum Salmon and some Kings.

If you want to catch Rainbows I do not think these streams would be the best of choices?

I would have to assume you access those streams through Dillingham?

Plastic beads work everywhere I have used them.

They originally started being used at Kulik lodge in the late 80,s. They were deadly and very few lodges caught on to them for quite a while.

I have even caught really nice Bull trout on them on the Metolius river.

The best way IMO to set up beads is to thread them on your line then tie on a hook such as a TMC #2457.

In my experience the light wire scud hooks bend out too easily.

If the bead is allowed to slide then the fish is always hooked in ther corner of the mouth.

I have witnessed guides pick the bead as much as 4 or more inches above the hook.

When they do this they are just snagging.

On some streams (Morraine creek for example) it is flyfishing only and plain beads are illegal.

The guides attach rabbit strips is to make the bead "legally" a fly.

The reason they tooth pick the beads is so the clients do not have to pay attention to their indicators because they feel the pick-up of the bead.

Rob