Glass Beads

Fly Patterns
1

Chris W. got me interested in using Czech silver lined glass beads for tying. I found a store that is having a good sale on these beads. I figured it to be less than 1/2 of a cent per bead. Unfortunately they are only in Washington and Oregon and one store in Idaho. Here is their web site. WWW.Craftwarehouse.com

Tim Anderson

2

Try this site too,

http://www.fusionbeads.com/shop/category/18/Seed_Beads/

Martin

3

Isn’t there a Michael?s in your area? I’ll bet there is even SOME choice at Walmart in the sewing section, although not the complete range of sizes or colours.

4

heres another

http://www.beadgallery.com/fly.mgi

The walmart near me has tons of beads!

5

try Michael’s or any craft store–they can have the cheapo beads (huge volume-share with your friends)or more elegant materials in smaller tubes more suitable for our needs as tyers unless you are into production tying

6

dmdmd: I was refering to Czech Silver Lined glass beads. To me they make a better looking fly than those cheap beads you get at W-M.

Tim

7

I usually get the best deals and quality beads at actual bead stores. Most of my beads are about 1/10 cent each. The Czech beads aren’t as uniform as the Japanese ones but I do like the silver lined square hole ones. These give a bigger “flash” than the silver lined round holes.

I get my Czech beads from: http://www.beadfx.com/catalogue/menuSeedbeads.html

8

FishyFrank: That is an interesting website. Thanks for sharing. I liked the way they explained the different types of beads. The beads I found on sale at the Craft Warehouse were 6/0 and came in a tube containing 24 grams for $1.50. This put them on par with beadsFX. Even though most of my fishing is done with barbless hooks some of my companions prefer barbed and I found that the Czech 6/0 will slide over the barb of a Mustad size 10 3399 or 9671 most of the time.

Thanks again. Tim

9

I’m like Tim I most ALWAYS flatten the barb(debarb) the hook for easy release of the fish and less damage. It also makes it easier to put on a bead.
KAHUNA 8)

10

Panman you’re right, the bigger 6/0’s are indeed more expensive than the smaller 10-11/0’s I usually use.
Here is one of my best patterns that is so simple yet so deadly:

It is 10/0 pink Czech silver lined square holed beads on a de-barbed :wink: Mustad 3399A #10 and some “waste fluff” from a hackle feather tied on as a tail. Notice how the flat sides of the square hole catch the light depending upon the angle.

11

Fishy Frank: Nice looking fly. I will buy some of the smaller beads when I get back to the Craft Warehouse. Here is a link to a neat looking fly tied by Elmer Meiler.

Thanks - Tim

http://www.danica.com/flytier/emeiler/t … e_lady.htm

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Big thanks for that link Panman! Elmer may be a warmwater fisher but that is one killer egg pattern for steelhead.

13

Panman–

I was not talking about W-M.

Michael’s is a local chain of craft store that carry a wide range of materials, including Czech beads. The brand name here is Blue Moon Beads. They retail here for less than the sites linked in the ther replies (except for the 2500 beads for $22)and with the coupons that they have regularly for 1/2 off they are a real steal–they come in all sizes and colors.

I have tied many bead flies for fresh and saltwater from them and have been very happy with how they handle when tying and with the results on the water

14

dmdmd: I had heard of Michael’s but was not aware they were anywhere near where I live. I did a Google and found one in Medford which is about 70 miles away. On my next visit to Medford I will check them out. Hopefully they will have some orange beads, which Craft World did not.

Thanks, Tim

15

Michael’s flyer today…the usual 50% off coupon…but you might be interested…50-70% off all yarns…including the Boa yarn @ $2.

16

We have Michaels and also a place called “Hobby Lobby”. They have tons of beads at good prices.
Kahuna 8)

17

The beads are on sale as of today—half price “Hobby Lobby”

18

I just bought a bunch of nice colored microbeads at Michael’s yesterday. They have a great assortment.

Any tips for getting small beads on the hooks? Someone told me to put them on Scotch tape and put the hook point through them. I haven’t tried that yet. Usually I lose about beads for everyone I get on a hook. They go flying off into the room, never to be seen again.

19

Aftershaft, they are easy to put on this way:

Pour some (not too many) beads into a small flat bottom tray or container:

They are now all lying flat with holes up so pick them up with bevelled, flat tipped tweezers (Tweezerman brand, cosmetic section/aisle):

Hold in one hand the hook, with point up:

Now its a simple matter of transfering them one by one from the tray to the hook. Since the holes & hook point are all “aligned”, there’s no guessing or fumbling to get them on.

If your hands are not too steady, then rest your forearms on the edge of your tying desk. If that doesn’t work, have a shot or two of whiskey to calm your nerves and avoid drinking too much coffee. :wink:

20

Think I’ll give those tweezers a try…they look pretty neat.

I might mention often you can get a bead with a tight fit by applying significant pressure…force…only an occasional breakage.

Excuse me I gotta go…my hands are shaking :wink: :wink: