The Hanak Competition Body+ Tungsten Beads are a must-have for any fly tier serious about nymph fishing. Tungsten's density — nearly twice that of lead — lets you tie slimmer, more realistic nymphs that sink fast, reach the strike zone quickly, and stay there longer. Whether you're fishing deep pools on a tailwater or ripping through fast pocket water, these beads give your flies the weight advantage without the bulk. Each package contains 10 beads.
Why Tungsten Beads for Fly Tying?
Tungsten has a specific gravity of 18 kg/dm³ — nearly twice that of lead — making it the go-to bead material for competitive and serious nymph fly tiers:
- Sink faster — get your nymph into the strike zone quickly in fast currents and deep runs
- Fish slimmer — tie smaller, more lifelike flies without sacrificing weight
- Stay in the zone longer — maintain depth through the drift for more strikes
- Stonefly head imitation — leave the front of the bead exposed for a realistic stonefly nymph head
- 4 colors available — Gold, Silver, Black Nickel, and Copper to match any nymph pattern
Bead Size Guide for Nymph Fly Tying
- 2.7mm — ideal for small nymphs on size 16–18 hooks (midges, small pheasant tails)
- 3.2mm — versatile all-around size for size 12–16 nymphs (hare's ear, copper john)
- 3.7mm — larger nymphs and stonefly patterns on size 8–12 hooks