The deadly Off-Beads (part 6: Leadhead version 3.0, dressing…

Leadhead version 3.0 (upgraded with this excellent Off-Bead were I was waiting for almost 30 years!)

Hook:             Daiichi 1560 size 6, Daiichi 2110 size 10, Daiichi 1260 or 1710 size 6 and 8
Thread:          UNI-Thread 6/0 or Semperfli nano size 12 mach to dubbing colour
Weight:          OFF-Bead gold 4mm (I use all colours today!)
Tag:                 Small strip of green fluorescent Flexibody (4 turns) When using other colour Off-Bead I match the tag colour!
Tail/Legs:      Speckled tail or long back feather from a partridge wound as a collar, also dyed pheasant back feathers
Under body:  Piece of wool (optional)
Body or case: Squirrel fur mixed with ice dub in coffee blender, than twist in dubbing loop with electronic dubbing twister, dubbed and well picked out

Note:  Because I could skip the previous tying technique I used to secure the split shot, I added some extra material as an under body to create more volume. For the Peeping Caddis I use a small piece of Sparkle Yarn instead of Flexibody. I burn it on one side to imitate the insect’s head.

Step 0

Pick your favourite colour Off-Bead. They will fit with any hook and many sizes.

Step 1

Pinch barb if you wish and place bead on your hook and put it in your vice.

Step 2

Set up thread in front

Step 3

Add thread until you can pull the bead really tight over the thread base, turn and secure the bead with the “drop” on top as shown.

Step 4

Select the prefered colour of Flexibody

Step 5

Cut off a small strip Flexibody (I prefer fl. green), taper it at one side, and tie in at the tip.

Step 6

Make four wraps of Flexibody to create a nice tag; this piece simulates the head of the caddis larva. Tie off and cut the surplus material.

Step 7 (Peeping caddis variant)

For the peeping caddis select your favourite colour of Sparkle Yarn or similar product. Be sure the yarn burns easily into a nice black dot.

Step 8 (Peeping caddis variant)

 

Cut off a small piece and burn a nice black head at one side.

Step 9 (Peeping caddis variant)

Tie in the yarn with the head pointing off hook.

Step 10

Select a nice soft hackle feather, strip off the fibres at one side and tie in at its tip.

Step 11

Wrap the soft hackle feather around the hook as a collar. Tie off and clip the excess piece of feather.  Make a few wraps in front of the fibres to let them point backwards better. The fibres imitate the legs of the caddis larva.

Step 12

Optional: Tie in your under body. I do it sometimes to prevent using too many dubbing material

Step 13

Wrap your underbody

Step 14

Make a dubbing loop. Fill the loop with rabbit or squirrel dubbing and spin the loop tight with an electronic dubbing twister
Electronic dubbing twisters as I have made so many over the years. Believe me it makes tying a lot easier! Cost: 1.99euro!

Step 15

Wrap the body of the nymph and tie off around the eye of the hook. Completed!

Step 16

 

Completed fly with different dubbing and tail materials

 

File facts:
Branko owns Vila Noblesa in Most na Soči (Slovenia) and runs the place with his entire family. They also speak German, French, English and Italian. They are wonderful hosts, the lodgings are great and the food is exceptional. All their food is homemade including the wines and cheeses. Dinner has many courses and is the absolute highlight of the day.

André Fournier started Bidoz products in 1996 after becoming frustrated not being able to find appropriate beads on the market for tying nymphs. Since then the company has flourished and became an established manufacturer of other flying materials that include cones, metal tubes, dumbbell eyes and neck rings.

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