Tungsten

[attackone]

was wondering if it really matters if u use tungsten bead or a brass bead on anything smaller then a size 16

[euroflifisher]

at that point split shot and twistons will do the work, and while one is heavier than the other, its a negligible difference.

[attackone]

thats what i was thinking, plus with a heavy enuff anchor fly it shouldnt matter

[frankm]

Sometimes on small streams if I'm using a single size 16 fly then I'll want a tound bead on it. I guess what matters is the conditions you are fishing.

[H Dot Verseman]

I use tungsten on many flies below size 16, I use em all the way down to size 20 which is about the smallest I tie at the moment. I also use brass for different circumstances.

You get the biggest benefit when you stop using split shot, or any additional weight because you gain a better connection to your flies. Tungsten beads on small flies help to anchor them into the water column quicker than brass, especially important if you are fishing a single fly, two light flies, or while fishing a long leader to spooky trout on a long cast.

While using split shot- I don't think it would matter as much and brass is a lot less expensive.

[wwelz]

The choice between tungsten ,lead and ,brass depends on what you are trying to do and how you are doing it. For example lead shot is a very valuable tool when indicator fishing. You can use the same flies but vary the depth of your presentation by adding or subtracting lead shot from your leader. Lead can also be useful in European nymphing . If you are in a situation where your point and anchor fly are right for catching fish but not heavy enough to get down to the fish you can add lead split shot but the downside to that approach is you loose some degree of connection with your flies as mentioned in the post by H DOT above.
There is another fishing situation that I have encountered and Aaron mentions in his video. The situation is while euro-nymphing sometimes you want your fly to suspend at a given depth. I make this analogy. Dry flies are boats , nymphs are submarines. Your submarine should be able to hit the bottom or travel at a given depth. I design some of my euro nymphs to suspend in the water column . The purpose of making nymphs this way is to achieve a long drift while euro-nymphing in slower currents . I use brass beads or just lead for this purpose

[AaronJasper]

Tungsten is not always the best, especially when dry dropper fishing in extremely shallow water. Tungsten is simply too heavy.

However, I do have flies tied down to a 22 with tiny tungsten beads to get my nymphs down in situations where I am fishing dry dropper and I need the extra weight to get into the depth that the trout is holding at.

The solution is to make both. have some with and without tungsten. There are times when one will be more valuable than the other.

[Davyfly]

It has its uses thats for sure but not for all situations, example.
Shallow water say 2ft with a slow flow rate, fish are taking chironomids, sizes 20 to 24.in the film and below.
bead heads will sink the fly too fast.
either use of a wire rib or not is your choice, if using 6x the fly will provided you allow it free drift will sink well enough

DW

[Montana Angler]

It can make a big difference - especially when using a dry dropper rig in heavy pocket water. The extra density helps keep it down. The other nice thing about tungsten is you can get away with less lead (or no lead) when nypmhing which removes the dead spot on your leader and increases strike detection