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A simple fly tying trick

This following article I wrote years ago turns up on the internet from time to time so I thought it should be available here too:

Talking to a couple of experienced fisherman it seems like goldheads on nymphs are more or less out of fashion. Not the we wouldn't like them anymore but the fish somehow seem to loose interest in them. I think fish learn on a number of ways: genetic transmission, experience and communicating with each other. Somehow even freshly stocked fish are disinterested in goldheads on a number of rivers, especially if they are clean and fishing pressure is high.

Talking to a couple of experienced fisherman it seems like goldheads on nymphs are more or less out of fashion. Not the we wouldn't like them anymore but the fish somehow seem to loose interest in them. I think fish learn on a number of ways: genetic transmission, experience and communicating with each other. Somehow even freshly stocked fish are disinterested in goldheads on a number of rivers, especially if they are clean and fishing pressure is high.

This wouldn't be such a big problem, as we can buy black, copper, silver (haven't had much success with that), orange and other heads. But if you like to buy fly tying stuff in bigger quantities you can end up in a situation like I did, having hundreds of gold colored tungsten heads that you don't really believe in anymore. Additionally I loose very few flies while fishing (maybe I just don't fish enough) and you can imagine that this can be nerving.

But I found an OK way to solve the problem: you can burn the gold heads to black! The only thing you will need is a long needle, bodkin or similar, a lighter and a bowl with water. Put the gold heads on the bodkin, burn them with the lighter until the paint/coating starts to peel off. Drop them in the water. Most of the cover will fall off by itself, the rest could be easily scratched away. What you will get is a nice blueish black color. Looks very fish-catching to me and in fact it is.

Be careful: I have no idea what poisonous fumes can generate so do this outside. Protect your hands and eyes!

Cheers,

Ákos