Kick the globug habbit and start running beads.....

[CTobias]

Kicking the globug habit.......Many of you on here are already smart to the bead game. Some of you on the other hand are stuck in the, "If I didn't tie it, I don't want to use it!" mentality. Fact of the matter is, beads work, hands down. I know some of you will question the legality of running a bare hook in NY waters. If the bead is run how it is meant to be run, you will not have any issues on the legal side of it. Last I checked, tube flies had a bare hook. Plus, running beads are safer for the fish if you practice C&R. Anyways, you can increase your catch rate by running beads of various colors under an indie. If fished properly you can be rewarded many times over. For the most part, all the guys I know running beads with their single or two handed rods, are running the indie setup. All depends on the water depth for their leader length. Also, I get asked a lot if people should run the bead knot or use a tooth pick or something else to wedge the bead against the line to keep it from moving. I have lost too many big fish using the bead knot, so I will only use it if I have nothing to peg the bead with. There are a mulititude of resources online that can help inform you about what exactly "bead" fishing is. Bead Fishing for Rainbow Trout Don't be scared to try something new. After all, the name of the game is catching fish.

 

[JeffK]

No doubt beads are effective, but are they flies?

They surely are artificials, but I don't think beads are flies. However, I have seen people in the lower fly zone using them and catching a ton of steelies.

 

[Simms]

Would bead fishing ever be effective in smaller streams, particularly streams that do not support spawning salmon or other large fish?

I know I do AWESOME on "glo bugs" in streams around me during winter when the suckers drop eggs, but I am always wondering if there are "enough" eggs in the water to constitute a bead set up?

My glo bugs I use in winter, usually tied on a size 16 hook, are very small and flashy? So I am not sure if trout are hitting it because of the flashy-ness, or because it ressembles a sucker egg...

 

[JeffK]

Egg patterns work in any body of water where fish lay eggs in my experience. Some of the oddest egg pattern fishing I have had is in small Midwestern Rivers fishing for huge carp with egg flies on gravel beds where walleye spawned at night in the late winter/early spring. A lot like winter steelheading, but the quarry was a lot uglier.

I would imagine a small bead would work in any trout stream. Salmon eggs are deadly just about everywhere for trout - why wouldn't they hit a bead? Once again I'm not against beads and see no issues with them in artificials only water, but don't like to see them in fly only water.

 

[Simms]

Egg patterns work in any body of water where fish lay eggs in my experience. Some of the oddest egg pattern fishing I have had is in small Midwestern Rivers fishing for huge carp with egg flies on gravel beds where walleye spawned at night in the late winter/early spring. A lot like winter steelheading, but the quarry was a lot uglier.

I would imagine a small bead would work in any trout stream. Salmon eggs are deadly just about everywhere for trout - why wouldn't they hit a bead? Once again I'm not against beads and see no issues with them in artificials only water, but don't like to see them in fly only water.

Perhaps tying on a sperm sack would constitute it a fly for ya?

 

[JeffK]

Ugh!!!! Being an old fart I never liked that fly shops sold those Otters eggs. Dress up a plastic egg or a bead and it is still a lure in my book. Not that there is anything wrong with lures.

BTW, I still call Mepps spinners with squirrel tails lures too.

 

[Trout Fever]

i agree with jeff beads and maybe a little crystal flash might qualify

 

[jcstikfish]

No doubt they are effective. However, I have to agree with Jeff and say that I would not be excited to see them in a fly only stretch. They are most certainly artificials and NOT flies. The glaring difference being that the fly fishing tradition is rooted in the angler crafting the offering him/herself or at least using an offering that has been crafted by another human. If "fly only" waters were set aside to uphold this tradition of our sport, a solo plastic bead definitely falls short of this tradition. A Glo Gug takes (at a minimum) one material, thread, a hook, PLUS the knowledge of a basic tying skill and the ability to execute that skill.

All for catching lots of fish, all for artificial only waters, all for beads being a safe way to C&R fish, but also feel strongly about the importance of knowing where a sport is rooted, and preserving that for the future.

Just my .02

~James

 

[AKSkim]

Perhaps tying on a sperm sack would constitute it a fly for ya?

I bet that is what the doctor said to your PARENT.



Reason for Editing:
PARENT ... singular

 

[CTobias]

As far as working on small streams, beads produce. I've caught many trout on 6mm and 8mm beads. They're opportunistic feeders.

On the topic of fly only sections, beads do not legally fall into the category of a fly per the NYS definition for fly only zones. Now, I know guys that will run a bead with a nymph or beadhead as their hook. That is perfectly legal, because they hook is technically a fly per the definition givin by NYS. I don't have a problem with people using beads in fly only zones, as long as they follow the rules for that zone. Running a bare hook with the bead in a "fly zone" is not legal.

I believe that more of the SR should be catch and release and artificials only like many streams and rivers in western ny. I'd like to see from the Pineville (2A) bridge up all artificial onl as well as catch and release as far as trout goes. As well as pure C and R for Atlantics until a healthy population is restored.

 

[flickfly]

I see people using a plastic bead above a bare hook and instantly I think back to the J-Plug disaster a few years back. Lifting and Snatching ! I'm not saying everyone does it, but I live 35 min. away from the SR and get to watch "the show" pretty often.
I will say there has been a big improvement in the fisherman's ethics in the last few years.
But ! I can't help being suspicious of this type of tackle as I've seen too many people abuse it.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

I was talking to a guy from the dec who helps to write the fishing laws on the Salmon River and he said there will be changes next year for the fly zone.And one of them is no beads or spinner blades above the fly as they are attractors .Also summer month fishing in the upper fly zone will be restricted to floating lines only no sink tips no weight .

 

[JeffK]

I'm sure everybody posting here would like to see more C&R.

In this vein I saw an article thinking about the success with steelhead fishing on the Ohio Lake Erie tribs. Seems like Ohio doesn't have much of a trout fishing heritage so Ohio anglers are much more likely to practice C&R - they are not accustomed to bringing trout home (not like walleye) and can enjoy steelie fishing for the sport alone. Therefore, some steelies are caught 12 times, which helps the sport. In PA and NYS there is a long heritage of "release to the grease" trout fishing so a lot of steelies go home on a rope.

 

[Drossi]

Beads and bare hooks........................did I go to GST by accident?????:fart:

 

[CTobias]

But ! I can't help being suspicious of this type of tackle as I've seen too many people abuse it.

This is why Alaska has a law that the bead can't be more than 2" away from the hook.

 

[flickfly]

I stopped fishing for the Atlantics and summer run Steelies in mid July when the upper fly zone water temps hit 72 and over. Fran Verdileva (I know I didn't spell that right) put up temperature warning signs and restrictions on heavy sink tips and lines.
Fran had watched guys with flyrods & reels Ripping heavy sinking lines and heavy flies across
the bottoms of the pools-fish were being snagged so it will be under some new regs I guess.

 

[CTobias]

.Also summer month fishing in the upper fly zone will be restricted to floating lines only no sink tips no weight .

I believe that law already exsits.

Special Regulations for Great Lakes & Tributaries - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Additional Weight: Between August 15 and April 30 of the following year, the maximum distance between the artificial fly and any added weight to the line, leader or tippet shall not exceed four feet. Between May 1 and August 15, no supplemental weight shall be placed on the leader, tippet or fly line. At any time during the year, weight shall not be added to the line, leader, swivels or artificial fly in any manner such that the weight hangs lower than the attached fly when the line or leader is suspended vertically from the rod. Use of supplemental weight such that the weight is the primary means of propelling the cast rather than the fly line or shooting line is prohibited.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Hi Chris,

Yes this law pertains to weight added to the line. I'm sorry to miss lead by adding weight to my statement . I'm referring to the use of sink tips and sinking lines can no longer be used during the summer months in the upper fly zone . This is to help out the atlantics that are up there during this period of time.

 

[CTobias]

Hi Chris,

Yes this law pertains to weight added to the line. I'm sorry to miss lead by adding weight to my statement . I'm referring to the use of sink tips and sinking lines can no longer be used during the summer months in the upper fly zone . This is to help out the atlantics that are up there during this period of time.

Makes sense. I have seen a lot of fly jackers when I've been up there with my 3wt farting around catching smolts on dries.

---------- Post added at 08:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 PM ----------

You can't tell me if you weren't a fish you wouldn't want to eat these....

Soooo many colors to choose from.

 

[Simms]

I love saggin the Atlantics on their beds...Size 6 golden stone through the nest, SET....SIZZLE...

 

[WBDluver]

Perhaps tying on a sperm sack would constitute it a fly for ya?

Sperm sack???? I'm bent over holding my crotch just thinking about that statment

 

[Joe D]

You can throw some spoons with a fly rod with a stiff enough leader. Is that fly fishing... No. Neither is fishing with beads. It's just fishing using a fly rod. Nothing wrong with that as long as it isn't tried to be made into something that it isn't.

I like to save my beads for Mardi Gras...

 

[skipper3245]

disagree totally. To me at least..fly fishing is just using a fly rod, fly line, and an artificial lure. According to your philosophy, say if a spin caster threw on a wollybugger, that would be fly fishing. I would still consider that spin casting. Its the tackle that you use. Only gray area is that i have seen a fly rod with live minnows on the sbr. I would not consider that fly fishing. You did say something about spoons. Well here is one that is a spoon but also has feathers. Its still a fly. pretty impressive video how doug makes it too.

Doug McKnight Slingblade Spoonfly - 17:55

 

[Joe D]

I 'm in total agreement with you that casting a woolly bugger with a spin rod is spin fishing since with spin fishing what is being cast with the rod doesn't matter much. It can be bait, lures, or artificial flies.

In fly fishing it's the fly, the rod and the line. Fly fishing is more steeped in the process and traditionally it's the process that's as important as the result.

The spoon fly has been around for a bunch of years. If you notice it is tied on a hook and not cast or molded. The spoonfly is a fly. A Clark spoon is a spoon.

To try and eliminate any gray areas, some states have been forced to legislate what a fly is. One state's regulations for fly fishing only water defines a fly: "Fishing may be done with artificial flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials, so long as all flies are constructed in a normal fashion on a single hook with components wound on or about the hook. Anything other than these items is prohibited... fish eggs (natural or molded), or any other edible substance is prohibited."

Like I said before, I see nothing wrong with beads, I just don't think it's fly fishing.

 

[skipper3245]

besides ego being an issue being that its traditional to not use beads. What is the difference between fishing a globug and a bead(given that you are not using a snagger). Its used to replicate the exact same as a globug and is more effective. I mean, i dont feel any less of a fly fisherman when i fish a bead. Other than the definition you just gave, most will still call it fly fishing. They sell beads in all flyshops.

 

[Joe D]

Skipper,

A glowbug is tied on a hook, not molded. Albeit, extremely easy to tie. An egg sack is also used to replicate the exact same thing and is also more effective. Fly shops carry and sell what the market wants. If I had a fly shop on a steelhead river I would carry beads too. It's not about if it's okay or ethical to use them. Personally I have no problem with someone using them, have at it and enjoy! I'm just saying that IMHO it isn't fly fishing when you do. All the components need to come together.

How's the fishing been for you? I hope you've been slaying them!

Joe

 

[skipper3245]

Its been alright. We are still in an indian summer out here. Its thrown everything off. Baetis hatch was crap this fall since its 60 degrees and sunny everyday. Streamer fishing is gettin better, but we are really just waiting for it to get crappy out already. Browns are on redds in most places so beads work well haha.

 

[Twism]

I know beads catch fish, but glo bugs work pretty damn good too. Lost plenty of big fish over the last week on them. As it was said, dont put a bead on a fly rod and call it fly fishing, and make sure you follow the regulations. The next guy i see in the fly zones with a bead is gonna get a tongue lashing from me for sure! He will will either cut it off or get a wet ride below the bridge where its legal

Im not saying there is a right or wrong way to fish an egg imitation on a fly rod, but there are glo bugs (hand tied FLIES) and there are... beads. Save them for all the pinners.

Personally, ill put my favorite egg pattern up against anyone with a bead this time of year. I dont think i will come up short. Use your beads for crafts class, not fishing.

 

[ajfromnj]

Tom,

With all due respect, you told me at your clubs meeting last year that you guys were foul hooking/snagging the majority of fish that you were hooking. As a matter if fact you asked me how to rig up your rod so that you could fairly catch steelhead. You also said how much you hated slinging all of that weight out there and that you though that it was not needed. So how did you go from doing that to telling people what is fly fishing and what's not? Also, there is no need to threaten people with violence on a stream for fishing in a certain manner. Fishing is personal. You fish how you want an the guy who is fishing ethically bead or not is still doing better than the guy who us hooking fish in the back, fin or stomach with a fly.

 

[Twism]

Tom,

With all due respect, you told me at your clubs meeting last year that you guys were foul hooking/snagging the majority of fish that you were hooking. As a matter if fact you asked me how to rig up your rod so that you could fairly catch steelhead. You also said how much you hated slinging all of that weight out there and that you though that it was not needed. So how did you go from doing that to telling people what is fly fishing and what's not? Also, there is no need to threaten people with violence on a stream for fishing in a certain manner. Fishing is personal. You fish how you want an the guy who is fishing ethically bead or not is still doing better than the guy who us hooking fish in the back, fin or stomach with a fly.

Hi Aaron,

I never meant to imply that the guys i was fishing with were foul hooking fish or snagging them. Of all the fish ive seem my friends land this and last year maybe 1 or 2 were foul hooked. When the fish are in thick its something no angler can always avoid, not matter your method of fishing. I spoke with you after my first ever trip for steelies so being new i had a fair amount of snagged fish and though maybe the weight was to blame. I was also looking to learn more about the technique of indie fishing. Now that ive learned more ive dialing in my nymphing ability and rarely snag fish by accident, there were a few things i needed to change, such as letting your fly fishing the drift and swing out or determining bottom from hits. I dont mind the weight now that everyone, who are extremely talented, have helped me learn to fish it. I have used your method for indie fishing as well, and its effective. None of my friends snag/ foul hook or line fish.
Im no expert on fly fishing, but if your not using a hook which is dressed with materials and tied on with thread, its not a fly and therefore not fly fishing. You can be bead fishing, with a fly rod, but there is a difference.
Im not threating anyone, notice the , its more of a joke. However, people should follow the rules in the fly zones and bead fishing is not allowed. I will mention that to them.