[b]I had an idea to try some modernised Tummel flies using Varivas hooks and Beads.
The first two are Tummels dressed on large (#10) Varivas hooks.
I found that the very small beads (150mm) I wanted to try would not go on #10s
so I used #12s.
I will post full recipes later.
Tummel Greenwell Spider
Tummel Pheasant Tail Spider
Tummel March Brown
Tummel Copper Bead Greenwel Spider
Tummel Grayling Bug
Copper Bead Grayling Bug
These would work fine on a Tenkara rod.[/b]
Beautifuly done. I still don’t get how you accomplished putting a bead on a spider and making it still look good. Is it the size of bead that makes the difference or the hook or a skill only the Scots posses :)? At least I now know it can be done. I may venture to try it again, but if I continue to miss the mark, I’ll stick with wire bodies like you suggested earlier.
Greg
Great looking flies! I’ve never seen that hook style before. For some reason, the spider patterns you show remind me of those old bicycles with one giant wheel in the front and one small wheel in the back. I think I need to get more sleep;)
Thanks for sharing.
Jim Smith
Donald,
Those will work a treat, my friend. Love the Greenwell Spider, but I’m partial to anything Greenwells.
REE
[b]I admit I normally avoid beads and spiders, but I had these very small ones.
the 150mm, which are less than 1/8 inch, lying around for two or three years,
so I thought I’d try them. They don’t look too bad.
The hooks reminded me of the circle hooks that came out a few years ago,
which were said to have very good hooking qualities,
and I thought that they would work as an alternative to the hooks used on
the original patterns, here are a couple of pictures showing how the original
patterns looked.
These are illustrations of the time the patterns were being used.
For more info look at:
http://donaldnicolson.webplus.net/page153.html
[/b]
Donald, I’m still awaiting word that you will be publishing a “coffee table” book of your beautiful flies.
Very sincerely,
Ed
Sorry Ed, I don’t have a coffee table.
Donald,
These are great looking flies… I am especially fond of the Bead Head Tummel March Brown on this hook! I think that would even catch a Basilisk! 
Michael
Hi Donald,
Those are a very nice adaptation. I’ve put together a couple straight hook Tummel’s. I don’t have the large circle type hooks, but I do have a few grub bends which could be pressed into service.
- Jeff
Donald, if you publish a “coffee table book” with your beautiful North Country wets, I’ll buy and ship a coffee table to you.
Ed