Head
bead eyes (saltwater
fly)
bead head nymph
(mayfly)
Many modern flies now use manufactured materials to form the head. Popular "bead head" and "cone head" nymphs & streamer patterns use a variety of pre-molded styles that are slipped over the eye of the hook and tied down. These are made of brass, copper, tungsten, etc.
Some larger flies have heads with eyes that are pre-formed plastic or metal tied in, or are painted on. "Popper" flies have heads of deer hair, foam, cork or plastic.
deer hair head
(streamer fly)
painted eyes (streamer)
