Fly Tying Beads - what is fly tying?

Fly tying beads aren't a new thing to I-Beads. Here at I-Beads we offer a large range of Toho seed beads which are being used for crafting and jewellery making, they're also being used by Fly Fishing Anglers. Toho beads are used for creating Fly Tying replica flies and insects to help anglers catch those illusive fish.

Fly Tying Beads - Toho Seed Beads

Fly Tying Beads for Beginners - How and When To Use.

Plastic versus glass/metal fly tying beads. Are you looking for a bead that will attract the fishes attention (attractor) or allow the replica insect to get to the bottom of the river bed?

Plastic Beads- Brightly coloured plastic beads are used to attract the attention of fish. They do not add weight to the replica insect so float on top of the water. Plastic beads are also used for cosmetic reasons such as making the replica look similar to its real natural insect. Using plastic beads will allow the object to float on the water rather than sink.

Metal or Glass Beads - These beads are meant to get the insect down to the bottom of the river bed, either slowly sinking or drop down to the river bed fast. Brass will get to bottom gradually whilst Tungsten or Toho Glass Seed Beads will get to the bottom quickly. Tungsten is the most expensive option for sinking beads, so the glass Toho seed beads are a great inexpensive option.

SINK RATE (how fast the bead allows the replica insect to sink in water)

Plastic Beads - floats. Metal Brass Beads - drops to river bed slow to medium speed. Metal Tungsten/Toho Glass Beads - drops to river bed very fast.

Glass Fly Tying Beads - These are not counter drilled (one side of hole is smaller than the other - allowing the bead to hit the hook eye and sit nicely, whilst the other side is larger allowing you to turn the bead through the hook eye easily. Tungsten beads are counter drilled.

Incorrect sized bead will either not fit over the hook or will completely swallow the fly. There are many different types and sizes of Bead Heads for Fly Tying. Choosing the right one can be confusing and hard to do.

Fly Tying Bead Head Sizing Chart 1/16″ or 1.5mm – Hook Sizes 20-24 5/64″ or 2.0mm – Hook Sizes 16-20 3/32″ or 2.4mm – Hook Sizes 14-18 7/64″ or 2.8mm – Hook Sizes 12-16 1/8″ or 3.2mm – Hook Sizes 10-14 5/32″ or 4.0mm – Hook Sizes 8-12 3/16″ or 4.5mm – Hook Sizes 6-10 1/4″ or 5mm – Hook Sizes 4-8

If you would like 10% off fly tying beads then use the promo code FLYTYING on I-Beads https://www.i-beads.co.uk/miyuki-toho-seed-beads-c-1535.html