How to Tie a Beadhead

Beadhead flies have become very popular because they allow the fly to sink without having to add split shot to the line. Whether it is the shiny finish on the beads or the bug looking head that they give a fly, any fly tier should learn to tie these flies and have them in the fly box.

Things You'll Need

• Fly tying vise
• Fly tying thread
• Fly tying bobbin
• Fine copper wire
• Pheasant tail fibers
• Peacock herl
• Scissors
• Fly tying head cement

Instructions

1. Slide the small hole of the bead onto the hook, around the bend and up to the eye of the hook. You will probably need to pinch the barb down on the fly to do this. Mount the hook in the vise with the bend between the jaws of the vise.

2. Load the thread into the bobbin and begin wrapping the thread around the shank of the hook right behind the bead, building up the thread so that it locks the bead in place. Then wrap the thread backwards along the hook shank to a point just above the bend of the hook.

3. Get a short strand of the copper wire. Tie it to the rear of the shank, then leave it hanging until later. Get a few pheasant tail fibers, lay them on top of the shank and parallel with it. The fibers should lay from the point where you built up thread behind the beadhead, along the shank, and extending off the back of the hook. Tie the fibers to the shank by wrapping them with thread.

4. Wrap thread up along the shank of the hook towards the eye to a point about 1/2 way between the tail and the bead, attaching the pheasant tail fibers in the process. Grasp the the copper wire and wrap it around the hook, working to the point where you left your thread. This will create a ribbing of the fly's body.

5. Take a slightly larger amount of pheasant tail fibers than you had for the tail, and tie them to the hook with the tips pointing towards the tail. Get a piece of peacock herl, tie it in, and wrap around the hook to build up the thorax behind the bead. Now pull the pheasant fibers over the top of the thorax, and tie them to the hook.

6. Finish your fly with a whip finish knot and a drop of head cement on the knot to seal it.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are planning to pinch down the barb on any of your flies for fishing, do this prior to tying the fly. Once in a while, pinching the barb down will break the hook off. By doing this before tying, you won't have wasted the time and effort if it does break.

References

• Bead Head Pheasant Tail Nymph

Resources

• Beginning Fly Tying
• Whip finish knot