What it is
Hareline’s Bead Sizer and Measuring Ruler is a stainless steel bench tool for checking bead size and measuring tying materials. It’s built to be durable and gives precision measuring with dual-scale markings and bead-sizing holes.
What to tie with it
Use it to match bead diameter to hook size when you’re building beadhead nymphs and streamers, and to keep your proportions consistent from fly to fly. It’s also handy for measuring material length for tails, winging, and shank-length references when you’re stacking, trimming, and setting body and wing lengths.
Flies and the fish they're for
This tool shows up any time you’re tying beadhead patterns where the bead adds weight, balance, and a more insectlike profile, which is a big part of modern nymph and small streamer tying. Dialing in bead size helps when you’re tying flies for trout in rivers and tailwaters where sink rate and depth control matter, and it’s just as useful for beadheaded flies aimed at panfish and smallmouth in creeks and ponds where you may change bead size based on depth and current. Even though specific patterns aren’t listed here, the practical use is the same across most beadhead nymphs: pick a bead that seats cleanly and tracks right for the water you’re fishing.