i have an arsenal of hooks but none will clear 3/16 OR 5/32 beadhead. What combination wet fly/nymph hook in size 10 are you using? Tying a Prince nymph… HELP! The public charts are of little help.
I use 5/32 beads on size #8 and #10 hooks. I use Mustad #3906B and #9671 hooks and the beads slide over the barb and up the bend with no problem. Couple of questions. Are you using beads made for fly tying that are counterdriiled? Do your hooks have a Limerick type bend or unusually large barbs? If that’s the case, you may have to mash down the barb and open up the bend. I wouldn’t recommend using craft shop beads for flies. I don’t use 3/16 beads at all. On hooks that large, I prefer to use coneheads.
You can try this page, the beads are all countersunk type for bead head flies.
http://donaldnicolson.webplus.net/page207.html
thanks for your input. however i must be doing something wrong as i can neither thread the 5/32 or the 3/16 bead on a size 10 Mustad 3906B even with the barb mashed down. the bead won’t get past the hook bend and my counterdrilled beads are made for fly tying by a well known company. need to figure out another combination of hooks:beads.
Gee, I can’t understand why you would be having a problem. Have you measured the beads to insure they actually are 5/32 and 3/16? Trust me, the combination of 5/32 and #8 and #10 hooks is correct. I have tied hundreds of flies with that combination. My suggestion would be to find a tyer in your area ans show him the problem.
appreciate your help and advice flyfisher7
Dumb question. Are you putting the small hole thru the hook point first?
Rick
tried in both directions. it appears to be the bend of the hook that prevents threading. the #10 hook will accept a 1/8 bead however. go figure. thanks
If you can get a 1/8 bead on the hook, but not a 5/32, there is definitely something wrong with the larger beads. Are they brass or tungsten? I’ve noticed on some tungsten beads, the manufacturer just countersinks the hole, not counterdrills it deeper. That could be your problem. Other than that, I see no reason why a 5/32 bead wouldn’t go on, while a smaller 1/8 bead would. My only suggestion now is to bend the hook enough so that you can get the bead on, and then bend it back to shape. On a hook as large as a #10, that shouldn’t cause any damage.
I have beads from many different sources. In my opinion the best brass and tungsten beads for fit and finish come from:
http://www.canadianllama.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=68
They cost a bit more but they are worth it.
I’ve also bought beads from:
http://www.wholesaleflycompany.com/category/brass-fly-tying-beads/catId=3875453
http://www.bluequillangler.com/Products/Eyes-and-Beads/Brass-Beads-Solid-100-pack#.T5TTbu0gniM
yes flyfisher7, upon further examination, it appears that the tungsten beads are and only surface countersunk and NOT counterdrilled. I’ll try to gently bend the hooks next. thanks again