I've now got a collection of holed Schwalbe tyres, Nics and Ralphs. Most have been holed right above the bead, and I've had mixed results with patches.
has anyone else had much joy? If so what methods have you used?
how big a hole?
I have a collection of holed Rons and Nics too. If it's in the sidewall, and anymore than 0.5cm I refuse to trust them and they're for the bin. But in the tread or small nicks to the sidewall I use the Tiptop tubeless repair patches. Oddly I find them way easier to find on the German sites than British ones.
This does involve a clean of the inner tyre, rough up and application so not one for the trail. But it is a more secure method than the anchovies. I do have success with those on the trail though. Even when it took 2 or 3 to seal the hole.