Using Hard and Soft Beads for Trout and Char – Late Fall & Early Winter Tactics

Egg-cellent Fishing…

Feeling down about river blow-outs? Don’t worry—we like to see the silver lining. High, turbulent waters have shaken loose a feast of salmon eggs from the fall spawn, creating a buffet for hungry trout and char. These fish are eagerly snacking on the drifting eggs, along with the occasional piece of decaying salmon flesh. While it might not sound appetizing to us, it’s a prime opportunity for trout beading enthusiasts to get out on the water.

Timing is everything, and this fishery is no exception. Starting mid-November, trout and char begin moving between streams in search of salmon eggs, a key food source during the colder months. They’ll continue feeding on this bounty well into the winter—so now’s your chance to join the action!

To become a more effective egg fisherman, there are a few key tips and techniques to keep in mind. First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the river or creek system where you plan to fish. Understanding the peak of the salmon spawning season in that specific area will significantly increase your chances of finding feeding fish. While salmon spawning season is prime time, it’s worth noting that many target species, like trout and char, often remain in the river throughout the winter, feeding consistently. Knowing this gives you an advantage.

When deciding where to begin, focus on locating spawning salmon. Many of the trout and char you’re after will position themselves directly behind the spawners, feeding on drifting eggs. If you spot spawning salmon, aim your cast between them, and watch your indicator for a bite.

Another critical factor is achieving a flawless drift. A perfect drift in this type of fishing is similar to any float fishing setup: it must be drag-free and flow naturally downstream. To achieve this, invest in high-quality floating fly lines or floating head, as cheaper or worn-out lines often sink slightly in the current, creating unnatural drag. Remember, eggs don’t drift sideways in rivers—they move naturally with the flow.

In many cases, casting upstream gives you the best chance of maintaining a natural, drag-free drift. As your setup moves downstream, strip in some line to ensure you stay connected. When the strike indicator passes directly in front of you, an upstream mend can be essential. This technique sets up the ideal line-to-rod connection, giving you the perfect conditions for a clean and effective hookset.

By mastering these techniques, you’ll increase your chances of success and elevate your egg fishing game.

Photo: Rob Bennett

What types of water should you fish with BNR Soft Beads or Troutbeads? The truth is, there’s no definitive right or wrong answer—within reason. Fish will feed on eggs in a variety of water conditions, from deep, expansive pools to fanning tailouts and even swift, shallow pocket water. The key is understanding where trout and char are likely to hold. These fish gravitate toward areas where they feel comfortable but also where they can easily access food. In late fall and early winter, salmon eggs drifting with the current become a prime, effortless meal—something fish won’t pass up. Since fish tend to conserve energy, they’ll often position themselves in spots where feeding requires the least effort. For example, if you’re fishing a stretch with a fast outside edge, a medium-speed middle seam, and a slow inside trough, the fish are most likely to be found in the middle seam or the slower inside trough.

Another important consideration is water temperature and water level. As fall progresses into winter, water temperatures drop significantly, and lower levels of precipitation—due to snowfall in the mountains—often lead to reduced runoff. This results in streams becoming lower and clearer. As temperatures cool and water levels decrease, fish tend to seek out shelter in deeper, slower-moving areas. Look for them under structure like riffles with a gentle chop, behind large boulders, or beneath submerged logs. By factoring in these conditions, you’ll increase your chances of success when targeting trout and char during this season.

Rods

For this type of fishing, we strongly recommend using fast-action fly rods, and here’s why. This method demands exceptional line control within a very short timeframe to be effective. A fast-action rod allows you to mend your line precisely and efficiently, making it easier to handle indicators and small weights—resulting in less frustration and more success on the water.

Most importantly, a fast-action rod ensures a strong, direct lift and hook-set connection between your bead and rod tip. When that indicator dives, a slow-action rod simply won’t provide the responsiveness needed to set the hook effectively. With a fast-action rod, you can lift your floating line straight off the water with ease, delivering an optimal hook-set every time.

Single Handed Rods

• 9′ – 10′ Single Hand Fly Rods (5-8weight)

Rods we suggest:

• 590-4 Sage Foundation Fly Rod
• 10′ 6wt Dragonfly Kamloops Fly Rod
• 9' 8wt Fenwick Aetos Fly Rod
• 10′ Echo Carbon XL Fly Rod

Double Handed Rods

• 10’6″ -11’9″ Double Hand Switch Rods
• 12’6″-13′ Double Hand Spey Rods

Rods we suggest:

• Redington Claymore 11'6" 6wt
• Echo Swing 11'8" 8wt
• Redington Dually 11'6" 7wt

Reels

You won’t need any specialized gear for this fishery. Simply pair your fly rod with an appropriately sized fly reel, and you’re good to go. We recommend using a large arbor reel for its excellent line capacity and fast retrieval.

Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable reels available that are perfectly suited for this style of fishing.

Here are some options:

• Sage Spectrum C Fly Reel
• Echo ION Fly Reel
• Lamson Liquid S Fly Reel
• Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
• Galvan Rush LT Fly Reel
• Galvan Torque Fly Reel

Lines

For this fishery, it’s essential to use a high-quality full floating line or floating head. You’ll also need a line designed to effectively handle an indicator setup. Achieving a perfect drag-free, natural drift is crucial. If your floating line doesn’t fully float, it will cause your indicator and egg to drift unnaturally, sweeping through the run instead of moving straight down in a natural motion. Sink tips are not required for this setup.

Single Hand Lines

• RIO Elite Grand Floating Fly Line
• RIO Elite Xtreme Indicator Fly Line
• RIO Premier Outbound Fly Line
• Scientific Angler Amplitude MPX Fly Line
• RIO InTouch VersiTip II Fly Line

Switch Heads/Lines

• RIO Elite Skagit Max Power Shooting Head
• RIO Premier Outbound

Spey Heads/Lines

• RIO Elite Skagit Max Launch Shooting Head

Terminal Tackle

• Indicators (various sizes suitable to river conditions and size)
• Leader Line: Maxima Ultragreen Monofilament Fishing Line Leader Wheel or Seaguar Blue Label fluorocarbon, Seaguar InvizX, Seaguar STS, Seaguar Red Label or Seaguar Basix 
• Troutbead Peggz
• Danielson Barrel Swivels (size 12-14)
• Anglers Image Micro Split Shot
• Bead size and colour to match what you’re imitating: Troutbeads, BNR Soft Beads, Spirt River UV2 Fusion Egg Bead, Mad River Soft Beads and Cleardrift Soft Beads
• Hooks octopus or bait style size 2-6: Gamakatsu Octopus Hooks, Gamakatsu Bead Hooks, Owner Barbless No Escape Hooks, Owner SSW w Cutting Point, Owner SSW w Super Needle Point

How-To-Rig

1. Run a section of 4-6ft of 15lbs Maxima monofilament straight from your floating line depending on the type of water you are fishing.
2. Run your indicator on your section of monofilament.
3. Tie on a swivel at the end of your monofilament section.
4. Tie a leader line of Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon to the other end of your swivel. It should be about 16-24″ depending on the water type you are fishing.
5. Slide your Troutbead on your fluorocarbon leader, and tie on a hook below.
6. Grab a Troutbead Peggz or egg peg and peg your Troutbead about 1 – 1.5″ from the hook.
7. Place your split shot on your leader lines accordingly.