How to Bead Fish for Trout

By Danny Coyne, BC Fish'n.com

Each year when the salmon migrate their way back to the tributaries to complete their spawning cycle, Trout follow them to target the salmon eggs for an easy meal to help fatten up for the winter months. In the fall trout from a far will start to bundle up near the mouth of the rivers or congregate in the tail end of runs waiting for salmon eggs to drift downstream. As the salmon start to thin out throughout the season and into later October, the Rainbow Trout will start to make their way up the river to feed. This is the perfect time to target these opportunist fish by using an Trout Bead patterns.

The best places to target the Rainbows are below spawning fish and off to the side. As the salmon spawn the trout position downstream waiting for straggling eggs to float by. Locate pools, current seams, long runs, cut banks, and any other structure, as this is usually where the Rainbows will be hiding out.

Presentation Methods:

Traditionally fly anglers target trout feeding on salmon eggs by using a fly egg pattern, also known as a “Pom Pom Fly”. More and more anglers are now switching to using trout beads, which imitate a single fish egg. The benefit of the trout bead method is that the fish don’t take the hook deep into its throat like they do when using a traditional egg pattern. The main difference is that the bead is located 1.5 to 2 inches up the leader from the hook, where the egg fly pattern is directly on the shank of the hook, which allows the fish to swallow the hook deeply.

The way that the trout bead works is that the fish takes the bead then the angler sets the hook. The line between the bead and the hook will slide through the fishes mouth driving the hook point into the inside of the beak of the fish’s mouth; not allowing the hook to go into the throat. This hook set allows the angler to easily remove the hook from the fish’s mouth and provides a clean release. The use of barbless hooks is essential when using this method. It’s important to note that all rivers and streams in BC have a single barbless hook restriction.

Trout Bead Set Up & Tackle Considerations:

Trout beads can be found at majority of tackle shops and they come in a variety of colours and sizes. Choosing size and colour can depend on the time of year and which fish egg you are trying to imitate. Peach and orange colours tend to work best, but it is a good idea to have an arsenal of beads in different colours and sizes. The size of the beads that you want in your kit will be between 6 to 10mms. If the trout are skiddish use a smaller size of bead. Water clarity is another determining factor; the more stained the water the bigger the bead can be used. The darker the water is start by using a bead that will provide strong contrast. Use lighter colours of beads for clearer water conditions.

Rod Selection:

You can fish this method by using a spinning rod or a fly rod. For a spinning rod I recommend a medium action 7ft rod equipped with 8lbs fluorocarbon line. For a fly rod a 6wt, 9 foot rod is perfect. You can either use a wet line with a sinking tip or a floating line with a strike indicator and longer leader. Equip your fly line with 3X 8lbs leader and a 4x 6lbs tippet.

How to Create a Trout Bead Presentation:

This presentation is much easier to set up that it sounds. Basically you will require the following:

  • Hooks: Size 6 is a good size for majority of BC Rivers. (I prefer Gamakatsu Octopus Red Hooks)
  • Trout Beads: 6 to 10mm, in multiple colours. (good colours: peach, cotton candy & orange)
  • Split Shot Weights: Depending on current and river depths, best to have a wide selection.
  • Float or Strike Indicator: When using a spinning rod an adjustable sliding float is vital. When using a fly rod a strike indicator will help detect the subtle hits.
  • Small barrel swivel: This is used to connect your leaders to main line.
  • Toothpicks or Trout Bead Pegs: Instead of tying a bead knot you can use a toothpick or Trout Bead Peg to hold the bead on the leader.

Hook Size to Bead Size: Matching the hook size to the bead size will help you land more fish. Use this formula to help match up the sizes: 6mm bead = size 12 or 10 hook, 8mm bead = size 8 or 6 hook, 10mm bead = size 6 to 4 hook, 12mm bead = size 4 hook. 

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