The Bearded Wonder is an articulated streamer about 6.5 inches long that has been fished in rivers and lakes with success. It was designed by me, Paul J. Beel, to go after large fish. It can be retrieved in a variety of ways. You can retrieve it fast by stripping line back quickly using 6 inch strips in succession. Or, you can use a jig type retrieve because of the leaded dumbbell eyes. Long strips with pauses inbetween work too. It is also a fly that works well on the swing.
If you are after large predators, this is the fly to use. This fly has been used very successfully in the pursuit of large brown trout. Over 20 inch brown trout are known to have been caught with the Bearded Wonder. The fly is a terrific bass fly as well. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have also been caught with this fly.
This streamer was added to the Orvis lineup in 2016.
Fish to note that were caught on the Bearded Wonder:
Donn Vidosh caught a 23 and 27 inch brown trout in the rivers of Northern Michigan using this exact fly.
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I, Paul J. Beel have caught a 6 pound largemouth bass in an Indiana lake using the fly.