Jack Crevalle

The brass bead head fly has become one of the most popular fly types. This is because the weight of the brass bead helps keep the fly very close to the bottom where trout are used to seeing and capturing their food. The flash of the brass bead has also proven to be very attractive to several other kinds of sport fish such as bass and panfish. Possibly a bead just makes the fly easier for the fish to locate. The Bead Head flies listed in our site are offered in the most productive sizes.

A Breif History of Bead Head Nymphs
Apparently the gold bead flies that are now so popular in America and Europe, actually originated in the central part of Europe - more than 100 years ago.
According to Roman Moser, who is acknowledged as the world's authority on the subject, the roots of the Bold Head flies lie in the Northern Italian area. By 1900, fishermen of Piemont, Bergamo, Brescia and Friulia fished in their alpine rivers with this type of nymph.
The nymphs were built on snelled hooks. These hooks, like many hooks from the earliest eras were constructed without eyes, as eyed hooks were very difficult to make with the forging processes available at the time. A silk gut snell was affixed to the hook shank with an over-wrap of tying thread. The fly was constructed covering the snell. The body of the nymph was usually made from pure silk floss ribbed with gold, silver or black metal wire. The silk fly body became translucent when they got wet. Instead of a conventional head made from tying thread, a glass pearl bead was slipped in place. In the Tyrolean rivers, these simple flies were often fished under a special wooden float with conventional casting gear. Evidently this method proved to be "too-effective", because it has now been outlawed from many rivers for conservation reasons. If you would like to know about the History of the Bead Head Fly, check out this fascinating article by Roman Moser.

Locally, bead head flies are usually fished under "floats" called strike indicators by anglers using fly fishing gear. Bead head nymphs are often fished on multipal-fly rigs. Fishing two and three fly rigs are popular. This fishing technique is probably just as effective as the Tyrolean method, but remains legal because most local trout rivers are regulated as "catch and release" only.

Fly fishing tournaments are a popular form of recreation in Europe. Vladi Trzebunia from Poland, was the 1989 Gold medalist and member of the Polish team. This team took the fly fishing world by storm when they introduced the Polish nymph. That year, with this fly and the newly created method of fishing known today as Polish Nymphing, Vladi caught more fish by himself than the next three ranked teams combined. "Czech Nymphing" is very much like the locally evolved method and often employs woven body nymphs constructed with gold beads.

Bead Heads are also popular in the construction of many flies used in still water.

Steelhead Guides' Favorite Flies "We just have more expertise." Where do new fly patterns come from? In the steelhead fly fishing arena, the best new "fish-catching-patterns" come from the most successful fly fishing guides. It is only reasonable; fish-in-their-hands bring customers back. In the overwhelming majority of guided steelhead trips, the guide selects the flies to be used. It is one of the ways they can stack the deck in your favor. The most popular steelhead and salmon guides are always experimenting with new flies in search of the magic bullet. This directory will take you to the best magic bullets available.
Mark Bachmann Agitators Fly du Jour Low Water Tube Flies Marabou Tube Flies Tail Gunner Flies	George Cook Alaskabou Series	Brian Silvey Tandem Tube Flies Tube Snakes Caddis	Marty Sheppard Metal Detectors
Tom Larimer Egg Sucking Sculpins Loop Leeches Wet Flies	Brian Kite Pick 'Yer Pocket Wambat	Charles St. Pierre Foxee Prawn Hobbit Spey Hoh Bo Spey	Scott Howell Guide Intruder Prom Dress NEW! Signature Intruder
Wally Adams Musician Series	Keith Graham Barely Legal Flesh Fly	Tracy Smith Lady Flesh Flies	Mike Kinney Skagit Minnow
Many of the guides listed above have worked extensively in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and British Columbia. Some have been to Eastern Russia and Patagonia, which have similar fisheries to the afore mentioned geographical areas. A wider range of experiences leads to deeper understanding. Many of the flies series listed in this directory are also very effective for Alaskan Kings, Pacific Northwest Chinooks, Dolly Varden, Arctic Char and Bull Trout. It appears that many steelhead flies used in both winter and summer are getting larger, with leeches, tube flies, stinger flies and intruder type flies being in vogue on many larger glacial fed rivers. East of the Cascades in the mid and upper Columbia River tributaries some traditional wet flies are also getting smaller. Steelhead flies are always changing, because the conditions in steelhead rivers are always changing. And our understanding of our fish is always changing. Whatever the trends, the team pictured above will be on the cutting edge of anadromous fish fly-development.

Simms Gloves
WindStopper^® Half-finger	WindStopper^® Foldover Mitt

Buy a pair of Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves
or Simms WindStopper Foldover Mitts
and receive a pair of Heat Treat Hand Warmers for FREE!!!
Offer expires March 1, 2010.

WindStopper^®Half-finger Gloves Newest Style - Field Test !!! Buy Now! This day of Winter steelheading started with a weather forecast of high winds and possible freezing rain, just the kind of climatic conditions that can be pure misery if you are a fly fisher. Because of an aging body, my circulation isn't what it used to be. But, because of my high-tech clothing, this day was comfortable and productive. In my opinion, the best new clothing item to hit the market in the past several years are the Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves. On the average, I don't even like to wear gloves, especially while I'm fishing. Most gloves impair an angler's ability to feel the rod while casting, etc. Most gloves used while steelhead fishing get wet and stay wet all day, feeling cold and icky, but not the Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves. To my surprise these gloves can get wet and will lose most of their water content within minutes. Within minutes, my hands were warm again. Even more surprising, these gloves were warm and comfortable, even when the outside was covered with fish slime. The palm material is thin and doesn't interfere with rigging, casting or rowing. This material also has the perfect texture for tailing and hanging onto fish.

Many gloves will keep your hands warm while they are dry. Keeping one's hands dry while fishing is nearly impossible. Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves keep your hands warm after they have been dunked. Did I mention that the water temp this day was 34.5-degrees.	When tailing large fish, there is little margin for error. Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves are constructed with fabric that makes tailing steelhead easier. My gloves were purposely dunked, slimed and generally abused, just to see what would happen.

Lets face it, this little trick of gutting a steelhead "with gloves on" was done just to see what would happen to the gloves. Surprisingly, the Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves didn't interfere with the operation and my hands were much more comfortable because I was wearing them.

I started out wearing my Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves with the cuffs inside my wading jacket. My hands were warm and comfortable. Then the gloves were soiled with fish slime while a steelhead was dressed for consumption. The palms and main body of the gloves were rinsed in the river and the gloves became serviceable and presentable again. However, small patches of fish gunk remained and I removed the gloves from my hands and rinsed them in the river. As an experiment the gloves were reinstalled with the cuffs on the out side of my wading jacket. They worked fine this way too. If you fish in cold conditions, you need a pair of these gloves!!!

	WindStopper^®Half-finger Gloves Newest Style - Just Arrived !!! Durable, lightweight, quick drying polyester fleece with DWR finish and WindStopper® membrane Redesigned for more anatomical, comfortable fit with less bulk between fingers Durable, lightweight, quick-drying Soft Shell fabric with DWR finish and WINDSTOPPERr® membrane Palm and cuff areas feature Polartec® WindPro® Hardface fabric for enhanced dexterity, durability, comfort, wind resistance and water repellency Integrated heater pack pocket located on interior of cuff 3M® light reflective logo details for additional safety
Note: These gloves run slightly smaller than average for size designation.	Heat Treat Hand Warmers are a non-toxic, non-combustible & environmentally friendly, odorless 7-hour heat source. These warmers fit the integrated pockets in these gloves.

Model	Item	Price	To Top
HFM2103320	Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves, Size Small, includes a pair of Heat Treat Hand Warmers for FREE until March 1, 2010	$44.95
HFM2103330	Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves, Size Medium, includes a pair of Heat Treat Hand Warmers for FREE until March 1, 2010	$44.95
HFM2103340	Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves, Size Large, includes a pair of Heat Treat Hand Warmers for FREE until March 1, 2010	$44.95
HFM2103350	Simms WindStopper Half-finger Gloves, Size Extra-Large, includes a pair of Heat Treat Hand Warmers for FREE until March 1, 2010	$44.95

	SIMMS WindStopper^® Foldover Mitt Newest Style - Just Arrived !!! 100% windproof, warm. The most hardcore hand protection we offer. Redesigned for more anatomical, comfortable fit with less bulk between fingers. Durable, lightweight, quick-drying Soft Shell fabric with DWR finish and WINDSTOPPERr® membrane Palm and cuff areas feature Polartec® WindPro® Hardface fabric for enhanced dexterity, durability, comfort, wind resistance and water repellency Integrated heater pack pocket located on interior of cuff 3M® light reflective logo details for additional safety Fold over mitt, fold back thumb
Note: These gloves run slightly smaller than average for size designation.	Heat Treat Hand Warmers are a non-toxic, non-combustible & environmentally friendly, odorless 7-hour heat source. These warmers fit the integrated pockets in these gloves.

Model	Item	Price	To Top
HFM1103320	Simms WindStopper Foldover Mitts, Size Small, includes a pair of Heat Treat Hand Warmers for FREE until March 1, 2010	$49.95
HFM1103330	Simms WindStopper Foldover Mitts, Size Medium, includes a pair of Heat Treat Hand Warmers for FREE until March 1, 2010	$49.95
HFM1103340	Simms WindStopper Foldover Mitts, Size Large, includes a pair of Heat Treat Hand Warmers for FREE until March 1, 2010	$49.95
HFM1103350	Simms WindStopper Foldover Mitts, Size Extra-Large, includes a pair of Heat Treat Hand Warmers for FREE until March 1, 2010	$49.95

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			Witch Craft Saltwater Popper, #2/0 -Body 5/8"x 2" plus tail Holographic scale pattern. Very reflective. Very lightweight and easy to cast.
Our "Flashy Fish" are designed to act like wounded or escaping bait fish. We have put emphasis on designing these poppers to cast with a minimum of air resistance. They ride low in the water for maximum disturbance. However, they are easy to pick up for a re-cast because of the smooth face design. The finishes are crystal clear epoxy over woven mylar for a life-like scale pattern. The "Painted Popper" series features a protective coat of epoxy over a stylish air-brushed paint job. They ride higher in the water than the "Flashy Fish" series. Lighter in weight still are the Witchcraft Poppers. They are constructed with holographic scale tape over a foam.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
06334-2/0	Witch Craft Saltwater Popper, Holographic Scale	2/0	$3.75

January 31 Steelhead Clinic & Fly Tiers' Round Table

Free Steelhead Clinic January 31, 10:00 am to Noon, Sunday Morning. "Understanding Spey Lines and Their Seasonal Applications, a presentation by one of the regions most respected Spey Masters, Mr. George Cook" This program started at the Metal Head Christmas Party, last December. The room was packed, and after more than an hour time ran out with more questions to be answered. Come to this program and your Spey Line Questions will be answered.

	Innovative northwest steelhead/salmon angler Charles St. Pierre has created several unique series of steelhead/salmon flies using a blend of natural and synthetic fly tying materials that combines a large silhouette with amazing lifelike action. Charles is much sought after as a spey casting instructor, and a member of the Sage pro staff. He is a regular celebrity instructor at the popular Alaska West Lodge. Charles is also one of the most successful fly designers for the Solitude Fly Company.
Free Fly Tying Party January 31, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday Afternoon. "Demonstrations by One Of the West's Most Renowned Steelhead Fly Tiers, Mr. Charles St. Pierre" This program centers on flies that work in rivers of the Northern Pacific Rim. This program is best suited for experienced tiers. Instructional demonstrations with big-screen TV in a custom made fly tying room with perfect lighting and special teaching aides are provided for free. Please bring your own tools & materials, or purchase them from our well-stocked inventory. Refreshments will be served. Bring snacks if you want to. Everyone is welcome! At: The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR 503-622-4607

Bead Head Attractor Nymphs	Bead Head Midges
Bead Head Caddis	Bead Head Mayflies
Bead Head Krystal Buggers	Bead Head Stone Flies
Bead Head Leeches	Bead Head Flash-A-Buggers
Bead Head Czech/Polish Nymphs	Bead Head Fly Tying Supplies

	results.... I dug though my well equipped boat bag looking for an answer. Eulogio looked thoughtfully at a large box of poppers and pointed to one that was wrapped with bright silver reflective scale tape. "Try that one Senor", he offered with an encouraging tone. I thought, "what the hell" and tied it to the end of my leader, only then remembering that it was attached to the end of a 400-grain sinking line. There was no time to analyze the situation further as about thirty Jacks came rampaging toward us. The cast landed the popper six feet in front
of the lead fish. The first hard strip produced a loud pop and then the heavy sinking shooting-head pulled the fly under. On the second strip produced a wobbling plug effect, and the lead fish inhaled the popper and then tore off 200-yards of bright yellow backing. After a very hard 20-minute fight the fish was weighed at 22-pounds and the released, thus ending the day with a very memorable experience. In the end it won't be the six hours of boredom or the refusals, but the picture of a big strong fish gobbling a bright shiny popper that will be logged in my mind. Maybe that is the best thing about a fisherman's memory; that it is not always perfect.
"Leaving port with high expectations!" This picture is included to help warm up your day...