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Dumbbell Eyes

Dumbbell Eyes

  • Pioneered by Tom Schmuecker of Wapsi Fly
  • Adds action, weight, and looks to a fly
  • A critical component of the Clouser Minnow

Developed by a fly tying visionary

The story of how Tom Schmuecker, owner of Wapsi Fly, Inc., developed dumbbell eyes is just one example of the tremendous contributions he has made to the fly fishing and fly tying world.

Tom developed the first set of dumbbell eyes as a solution to sinking smallmouth bass streamers deep in current. Tom first tied various streamer patterns with bead chain eyes. While he caught lots of fish with these flies, they didn't sink to the level he desired. To make the bead chain eyes heavier, he wicked solder into them. This produced better results but still did not satisfy him.

Tom's knowledge of the techniques of centrifugal lead casting soon led him to the conclusion that this was the only way he could achieve his goal of producing a set of eyes heavy enough to sink flies to the desired depth. Using various sized beads and rods, he constructed several sets of eyes to be used as templates for the design of an appropriate mold. After countless redesigns of the eyes and casting molds, he finally arrived at a final design that met his needs.

Tom tied numerous flies with his new dumbbell eyes and sent samples to his friends in the industry. Within just a few days Tom received numerous calls from his friends as to how they could obtain more. Within a few short weeks the secret was out about dumbbell eyes, and Wapsi was flooded with orders for them.

Today the dumbbell eye is a widely used fly tying material and is used in many innovative fly patterns such as Bob Clouser's Swimming Minnow. Few fly tyers realize that dumbbell eyes are just one of many fly tying materials that originated at Wapsi.

Wapsi Dumbbell Eyes are solid lead. Fits sizes 1 through 14.
Plain and Plated Dumbbell Eyes
Plain 10/PKG Plain 24/PKG Plated 10/PKG Plated 24/PKG
  • EYLN10
  • 00 - Midget
  • 0 - Micro
  • 1 - Mini
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • 6 - X-Large
  • EYLN24
  • 00 - Midget
  • 0 - Micro
  • 1 - Mini
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • 6 - X-Large
  • EYLP10
  • 00 - Midget
  • 0 - Micro
  • 1 - Mini
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • 6 - X-Large
  • EYLP24
  • 00 - Midget
  • 0 - Micro
  • 1 - Mini
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • 6 - X-Large

Wapsi Dumbbell Painted Eyes are our most popular sizes of lead eyes pre-painted with black pupils. These are sold 10 per package.
Plain and Plated Dumbbell Eyes
Solid Black Gold Yellow Red Pearl Fl. Chartreuse
  • EYL100
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • EYL250
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • EYL300
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • EYL311
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • EYL363
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • EYL509
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large

Tungsten Dumbbells have a flat end that lets you add adhesive eyes. The off center shaft means the eye locations can be above, even or below the hook shank. These are sold 10 per package.
Tungsten Dumbbells
X-Small Small Medium Large
  • EYT2
  • 033 - Copper
  • 100 - Black
  • 250 - Gold
  • 252 - Silver
  • EYT3
  • 033 - Copper
  • 100 - Black
  • 250 - Gold
  • 252 - Silver
  • EYT5
  • 033 - Copper
  • 100 - Black
  • 250 - Gold
  • 252 - Silver
  • EYT7
  • 033 - Copper
  • 100 - Black
  • 250 - Gold
  • 252 - Silver

Wapsi Dumbbell Eyes Non-Toxic are cast out of a non-toxic alloy in the same dumbbell shape as Wapsi dumbbell eyes but are 60% the weight of lead. These are sold 10 per package.
Non-Toxic Dumbbell Eyes
Plain Yellow Red Pearl
  • EYNT10
  • 1 - Mini
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • EYN006
  • 1 - Mini
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • EYN056
  • 1 - Mini
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large
  • EYN253
  • 1 - Mini
  • 2 - X-Small
  • 3 - Small
  • 4 - Medium
  • 5 - Large

THE BEST FLY TYING STUFF

QUALITY FLY TYING MATERIALS SINCE 1945