Battenkill Jim,

COOL FLY!

Being new to tying, I've never heard of Spirit River Beads. If the beads you are using are glass; I just picked up a mixed pack of solid black, Clear brown, and clear golden(I was thinking stoneflies) for around 2$ at a craft store called Michael's. A lot of beads for not much cash.
As eborden said, try some jelly cord if you haven't already. After hearing about it here at FAOL I went and got some, nice and stretchy and easy to work with. Good luck.

Oh, one silly question. Is the hook for your caddis larva originally shaped that way or did you bend it?

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Land Em',
Carp