Posted on February 21 2015
There’s no denying the effectiveness of bead fishing for trout in Alaska. As the prolific runs of salmon in Western Alaska approach the end of their migration, thousands of eggs are released by each female salmon providing millions (if not billions) of protein-rich morsels for our resident rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, and dolly varden.
The most accurate imitation of this phenomenon? That’s right, a simple bead rig.
However, pegging a bead above a bare hook is not the only effective use of a bead. When used in conjunction with your favorite streamer, leech, or flesh pattern, the bead can make for a deadly combination!
Many of our guests at Alaska West prefer to fish using more active retrieves than dead drifting a bead, such as swinging or stripping sculpin and smolt patterns. Threading a bead onto the leader before tying on your streamer of choice is a great way to help catch the attention of aggressive trout. We’ve found this tactic to work extremely when swinging flies for trout and dolly varden during the times of our season when the majority of fish are highly keyed in on eggs, or in conjunction with flesh flies for a juicy steak and eggs rig.
However, this technique is not limited to Alaska. It can be extremely effective on your local waters as well! After all, it is the same concept that spurred the design of the popular egg sucking leech series of flies that have caught fish all over the world, not only Alaska.
So, the next time you’re fishing big flies for big trout, try adding a bead, we think you’ll enjoy the results.
More on Trout Fishing
- 5 Reasons to Swing for Trout this Winter
- Painting Beads for Trout
- Western Alaska Trout Fishing Techniques