Lightweight Dumbbell Eye Options

[Stonedfish]

I’m looking for some lightweight eye options besides bead chain.
I like the look of dumbbell eyes like Real Eyes Plus (Iris & Pupil) versus the bead chain but I’m trying to avoid brass dumbbell eyes.
I’ve used some of the aluminum sea eyes in the past. They worked well for larger patterns but was hoping to find lightweight dumbbell eye options in smaller sizes then 1/4”.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
SF

 

[Zak]

Would stainless steel beadchain be a tad heavier heavier than the standard black beadchain?

 

[Stonedfish]

Would stainless steel beadchain be a tad heavier heavier than the standard black beadchain?

Zak,
It might, but I’d prefer the look of a real eye over bead chain. The fish probably don’t care, but I find the real eyes just make patterns look more fishy.
I wish they made a bead chain eye with flat sides. I just glue some eyes on the end an call it good. I might try flatten some out myself.
SF

 

[Dr. Magill]

 

[Norm Frechette]

https://www.amazon.com/MAXIMUMCATCH-Maxcatch-Weightless-Realistic-Materials/dp/B092HNM6ZQ

 

[Zak]

4mm, less than a quarter inch: https://spawnflyfish.com/collections/new-products/products/diamond-fish-eyes

Not sure what the material is, though.

 

[Mike Cline]

Sight Cast Fishing Company — Weightless Dumbbell Eyes

With 3D baitfish eyes on a translucent, weightless dumbbell, you can take your favorite fly patterns using lead dumbbells and turn it into a weightless fly. Tied in the same way as dumbbells, they are an easy to option to provide lifelike eyes to compliment the rest of the fly. Perfect for skinny

www.sightcastfishing.com

 

[Stonedfish]

Good suggestions so far. Much appreciated.
Keep them coming if you have others.
SF

 

[wanderingrichard]

Yea verily!! An Abundance of Riches....

I don't know how to tie. But i love the way everyone is helping solve this..

 

[adamcu280]

Any particular reason you're avoiding brass? I've used these in the small size (1/8") with great results on the types of flies we were just talking about.

Hareline Brass Dumbbell Eyes

Upgrade your fly fishing game! Shop Hareline Brass Dumbbell Eyes at Spawn. The quickest way to add action and weight to any pattern. These Brass Barbell eyes come in a full range of sizes to meet your tying needs.. Experience the Spawn difference today.

spawnflyfish.com

 

[Stonedfish]

Any particular reason you're avoiding brass? I've used these in the small size (1/8") with great results on the types of flies we were just talking about.

Hareline Brass Dumbbell Eyes

Upgrade your fly fishing game! Shop Hareline Brass Dumbbell Eyes at Spawn. The quickest way to add action and weight to any pattern. These Brass Barbell eyes come in a full range of sizes to meet your tying needs.. Experience the Spawn difference today.

spawnflyfish.com

Adam,
This will be for larger patterns than we discussed that I want to super slow sink rate. I want to be able to strip very slow over barnacles and oysters in super shallow water without snagging up when the winter doldrums hit. Think sculpin.
I like how the bead chain eyes work, I just don’t like how they look on bigger patterns. I like the look of a real eye better.
I’ll order a pack of the plastic eyes to see how they work. Those combined with the hook weight should work just about right for what I’m trying to achieve.
SF

 

[Mike Cline]

https://www.umpqua.com/xs435-bn5x-bendback/

https://ahrexhooks.com/products/salt/sa250-shrimp/

https://www.sightcastfishing.com/tying-materials/spoon-fly-hooks

@Stonedfish

You might think about trying one of the bend back hook designs out there coupled with some weightless dumbbell eyes. I use all of these on salt flies that are cast tight to Mangrove shorelines and over oyster beds down on the Florida Gulf coast. Rarely do they hang up. They are also effective in staying clean in deep grass.

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

https://www.umpqua.com/xs435-bn5x-bendback/

https://ahrexhooks.com/products/salt/sa250-shrimp/

https://www.sightcastfishing.com/tying-materials/spoon-fly-hooks

@Stonedfish

You might think about trying one of the bend back hook designs out there coupled with some weightless dumbbell eyes. I use all of these on salt flies that are cast tight to Mangrove shorelines and over oyster beds down on the Florida Gulf coast. Rarely do they hang up. They are also effective in staying clean in deep grass.

Spoon flies? Never heard/seen them before. I'm intrigued. Feels like something that would be effective around the PNW for various species.

 

[Stonedfish]

Spoon flies? Never heard/seen them before. I'm intrigued. Feels like something that would be effective around the PNW for various species.

@Kfish ties a pretty mean spoon fly that has work well for local fish. Maybe he can post it up.
SF

 

[Brian Miller]

...I want to super slow sink rate. I want to be able to strip very slow over barnacles and oysters in super shallow water without snagging up when the winter doldrums hit. Think sculpin.

I find myself in that scenario frequently. What line are you using for that?

 

[Stonedfish]

I find myself in that scenario frequently. What line are you using for that?

Brian,
Right now I'm using a SA Sonar Titan Full Intermediate. It really sinks more like a hover line then an intermediate.
I find myself sticking the rod tip under water on the retrieve to get the entire amount of line I've casted to sink.
I might also use a Airflo Streamer Float with a long leader to get the desired presentation.
SF

 

[Mike Cline]

Spoon flies? Never heard/seen them before. I'm intrigued. Feels like something that would be effective around the PNW for various species.

Thoughts on the Fly | J. Stockard Fly Fishing's Blog

Welcome to J. Stockard's blog Thoughts on the Fly—your source for fly patterns, tying tips, reviews, and entertaining fishing stories.

blog.jsflyfishing.com

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

Thoughts on the Fly | J. Stockard Fly Fishing's Blog

Welcome to J. Stockard's blog Thoughts on the Fly—your source for fly patterns, tying tips, reviews, and entertaining fishing stories.

blog.jsflyfishing.com

Thanks Mike!

 

[Herkileez]

Re beadchain eyes: I would try coating/filling end hole with white (or other) UV nail polish, curing, then adding a dot and recoating with clear. Finicky, but worth it if a fish likes it.

 

[Kfish]

Spoon flies? Never heard/seen them before. I'm intrigued. Feels like something that would be effective around the PNW for various species.

I caught my biggest Cutts with these little spoon flies. Size 4 Gami SS15 bent to shape, some lead wraps, mylar and uv resin.