Brass Beads

Pick one up. It’s lighter than you’d think—not the dense thud of tungsten, but the smooth, polished weight of brass. That lighter mass is what gives your nymph a natural sink rate, the kind of drift that doesn’t punch straight to the bottom but floats down through the water column like a real insect. This is the material you reach for when you need control, not speed.

When Brass Beats Tungsten

Tungsten beads drop fast—sometimes too fast. In moderate current or when fish are feeding mid-column, a heavy nymph blows past the strike zone before trout can react. Brass beads sink at about half the speed of tungsten, giving your fly time to drift naturally into a fish’s feeding lane.

And in shallow water or slow pools, brass won’t spook fish by hitting the bottom with a loud “tink.” It settles gently, keeping the presentation quiet and natural.

Why Copper Finish?

The warm, coppery glow of these beads mimics the segmented bodies of caddis larvae, freshwater shrimp, and mayfly nymphs. In clear water, that subtle metallic flash is enough to catch a trout’s eye without being too aggressive. It’s the middle ground between bright gold (which can look artificial) and matte black (which offers no flash at all).

The copper electroplating also resists tarnish better than natural brass, so your beads will keep their shine even after months in your fly box.

Size & Hook Pairing

• 2.0mm: Hooks #20-22. For tiny midges, micro mayflies, and thread-bodied nymphs.
• 2.4mm: Hooks #16-18. Small BWO nymphs, Zebra Midges, and chironomids.
• 2.8mm: Hooks #14-18. The workhorse size for Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and soft hackles.
• 3.2mm: Hooks #10-14. Caddis larvae, larger mayfly nymphs, and Euro-style patterns.
• 3.8mm: Hooks #8-12. Stonefly nymphs, big caddis, and light streamers that need weight without bulk.

Countersunk Design

Each bead has a two-diameter countersunk hole. The larger opening lets you slide the bead over the hook eye, and the smaller inner hole sits snugly against the shank. No forcing, no scratching the hook finish. Just thread the bead on, push it to the eye, and lock it in place with thread wraps.

Why the Clear Container?

Most brass beads come in cheap plastic bags that spill every time you open them. Our 50-count beads are packed in a resealable clear case that snaps shut securely. You can see the size and color at a glance, stack multiple containers in your tying desk, and never lose a bead to a messy spill again.

Technical Specifications

• Material: Brass (copper-zinc alloy)
• Finish: Electroplated copper over polished brass
• Hole Design: Countersunk (two-diameter bore for easy threading)
• Manufacturing: Cold-forged, tumble-polished to remove burrs
• Weight (approximate): 2.0mm = 0.03g | 2.4mm = 0.05g | 2.8mm = 0.08g | 3.2mm = 0.12g | 3.8mm = 0.18g
• Recommended Hook Sizes: 2.0mm = #20-22 | 2.4mm = #16-18 | 2.8mm = #14-18 | 3.2mm = #10-14 | 3.8mm = #8-12
• Quantity: 50 beads per container

Pro Tip

When fishing spring creeks or technical tailwaters, use brass beads instead of tungsten to avoid over-weighting your flies. A size #16 Pheasant Tail with a 2.8mm brass bead will sink slowly enough to stay in the trout’s feeding zone for 3-4 seconds longer than a tungsten-weighted version—often the difference between a refusal and a take.