I’m constantly asked what the beadhead is supposed to represent. I have my opinion of the matter which I will leave off for now. I would love to hear everyone elses views on this. I did point the last couple of questors to FAOL. I love this site, I learn alot everyday. Rick
There is a bug in Michigans’ Pere Marquette that comes to the surface about 7 times a year to collect a bubble of air. I think that is what the bead head represents. Some insects build “Nests” under water by attaching air bubbles to plants and then laying thier eggs in the “Nest”
P.S. The P.M. bug takes two years to reach adulthood. Bet dinner that Ladyfisher knows it’s name, I forgot!!
Cactus
that is my answer as well. there is even a spider that lives under water by holding a bubble of air in its hind legs.
From [url=http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/articles:06f55]http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/articles[/url:06f55]
“Bead-head patterns have taken the fly fishing world by storm. There aren’t to many subsurface patterns that haven’t been altered, and most for the better, to bead-heads. They allow the fly to sink head first in the water. By sinking head-first, the fly takes on a jigging action which most trout find irresistible. The bead-head also simulates an air bubble on the fly, which also scores very well on trout (and other freshwater fish)”
I use beadheads primarily for there attractor qualities and the added weight.
Al
I think most patterns were very well improved with the beadhead. I know I catch alot more with than without it.
Remember to take a kid fishing.
Do you think there is a difference in success rate between glass beads and metal beads?
I’ve tried the clear scintilla beads. I personally haven’t noticed any differences from the fish. I prefer the metal beads for the weight.
Remember to take a kid fishing.
I can tell you that the green turtles around here in the lakes where folks feed the fish (and turtles) think they represent fish food pellets 
. Plastic bead-heads don’t last long with turtles biting them off.
The fish will bite them whether or not they have been fed fish food pellets 
. So even fish that haven’t been fed still bite them. I like the fact that not only do they break the surface film on the water (to get down quickly) and add light refraction (gleam) but they can also add weight. I didn’t know they were suppose to represent anything other than being used for the above mentioned qualities I listed. I just know that they work .
Phil,
I haven’t noticed a difference in success rate for glass or metal bead-heads. All have their place and work equally well. I like the different sink rates that I get using the different bead materials. Brass that’s heavier metal, that’s heavier than glass (depending on if they are solid or not), that’s heavier than plastic…well, you get the idea. I can’t afford tungsten 
.
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
“Flip a fly”
CG36,
Actually, I think it doesn’t represent anything.
Rather, it’s the weight at that location on the lure that creates it’s effectiveness. As noted by others above, the ‘action’ of the lure is changed. For some reason, probably known only to the fish themselves, the way a head weighted fly ‘moves’ is effective, often more so than either an unweighted or shank weighted one.
As far as how it ‘looks’? I certainly don’t find it looks ‘bad’. Since the fish like them, it doesn’t really matter, does it?
Good Luck!
Buddy
[url=HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML:9c831]HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML[/url:9c831]
Just a reminder to those who travel, … Metal bead heads are illegal on Quebec Salmon rivers.
Even if you’re obviously fishing for sea run brooks, you can’t have anything metal on the fly 'cept the hook (no wraps, beads etc) nor on the line, leader or tippet.
Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/:57148]http://www3.sympatico.ca/chris_chin/[/url:57148]
the primary reason I use them is to weight the fly and get into the feeding zone more quickly. I will use colored (or clear) glass (plastic) beads for aesthetic reasons. I don’t think they weigh enough to aid in sinking the fly.
I’ll also add that I’m using tungsten beads almost exclusively these daze.
mgj
Is it a fly or a lure when you add a bead?Although I do use them when I can’t get a good enough drift to get the fly down into the water column,I prefer not too.
My nickels worth.
Mike
Adding to what others have said about the action, I think beadheads have more effect on patterns that match a swimmer nymph. If you’ve ever watched the way those guys move, you can see the resemblance.
They actually do represent an air bubble for some nymphs. Some bugs do us an air bubble to help them surface faster. Maybe a built in self defense mechanism to help escape the jaws of death. The weight factor is definitely an added bonus when using heavier metals.
Remember to take a kid fishing.