Bead fishing is all about the drift. It is dead-drift indicator fishing at it's finest and the longer the drift, the more success you'll have and the more fish you will hook. The bead is usually affixed to the line with a toothpick or very heavy monofilament, pegged through the hole so it doesn't slide down to the hook. According to Alaska state regulations, the bead cannot be attached more than two inches from the hook or fly, and in fly fishing only waters, it must be attached over a fly and not a bare hook. I recommend staying within the two inch maximum guideline on any water, or you will end up foul hooking smaller fish. Check local regulations in your area or homewaters before using these beads so you can be sure that you are not violating any fish and game regulations. We usually fish these beads on fluorocarbon tippet and attach the weight 18-24 inches above the bead, that way you get a good natural drift near the gravel, similar to a real egg. Stack mending is an effective method for prolonging your drift in medium depth runs, and high stick nymphing with quite a bit of weight is very effective in pocket water and fast water riffles where a long dead drift is difficult to achieve. I have had good success with them in some of the Great Lakes tributaries by attaching a glo-bug or stone fly nymph below the bead. However you fish them, just get out there and try 'em. Thanks.
