I love fishing unweighted kebari, be it sakasa, jun or futsu hackle styles. But sometimes I find that I need to get the fish’s attention more than what these patterns can offer. It’s at times like this that I often turn to bead head futsu patterns to get the job done.
There’s really nothing special about these patterns. They are basically futsu-style kebari with bead heads! That’s it. Take you favorite futsu-style kebari, add a bead (metal or glass) and voilà, you have a highly effective fish catching machine! I’ve used all pattern types, but three are standout patterns for my trout waters in Idaho.
BH Ishigaki, gold
It has been reported that when needed, Dr. Ishigaki will fish weighted bead head kebari. This pattern is after a style that he uses. Gold or silver beads work equally well. I even tie a few with glass beads, when I desire more “bling” but not more depth.
- Hook: any style you want, but I like Moonlit ML062
- Bead: Gold, brass or tungsten. But you can vary this pattern by using silver, copper, nickel or even black beads. They all work.
- Abdomen: All-purpose sewing thread, any color, but I mainly use black.
- Thorax: Peacock herl, reinforced.
- Hackle: Grizzly stiff, dry fly. I tend to strip the shank side of the feather to thin the profile and get more uniformly vertical fibers when the feather is wound around the shank.
BH Peacock
This pattern could be tied with artificial peacock dubbing, but why, when peacock is so beautiful and fun to work with. That said, it’s best to reinforce the peacock or the first fish you catch will tear the fibers.
- Hook: Moonlit 062, or your favorite.
- Bead: Gold, brass or tungsten
- Thread: Red. I use YLI silk.
- Abdomen: Peacock herl, reinforced. I prefer to use a dubbing loop method.
- Hackle: Grizzly, stiff dry fly.
BH Pink Squirrel (sans squirrel)
This pattern is a Driftless favorite, so I’m told. I tie my version after the manner shown by 10 Color Tenkara patron, Gressak. Spindrift yarn, Wren is substituted for squirrel fur. I’ve been using this pattern a lot lately, and I’ve been really impressed. Seems like my trout think they’re in the Driftless, because they love this fly!
- Hook: Moonlit 062, or your favorite.
- Bead: Gold, brass or tungsten
- Thread: Red.
- Abdomen: Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift Yarn – Wren 246
- Thorax: Hareline Ice Dub, fluorescent hot pink #133
- Hackle: Grizzly, stiff dry fly.
So, there you have it, three of my favorite bead head futsu kebari patterns. If you’ve never tried this style of kebari, then I’d encourage you to do so. If you’ve already tried them, then you know — they work!
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tom,
thank you for the post. two questions:
1. what is the size of the ML062 hook?
2. what is the size of the beads, i.e. 2mm tungsten?
I usually use size 10 hooks, but you can use the size that you think would work best for your waters. I usually use 2.8 mm beads, brass to sink less, tungsten to sink deeper.