Thread: Good Tungsten Beads

FYI

I picked up some nice quality tungsten beads at the show a few weeks back and started using them. For the money, they are great beads and for the price, you can't beat them. Using a tungsten bead really gets the fly down fast (I learn that this summer on the Deschutes with the fast moving water columns with the redside rainbows were hanging out), they are 2x the weight of brass beads, and you don't have to load the fly up with wraps of lead/lead-free wire.

I bought them from riplipsfishing.com Online the beads start at $11.99 per 100 and if you use the code "show", the shipping is free. I just ordered their last set of 3.5mm hot orange this AM. I think they will be awesome on the front of an Ausable Ugly and some other nymphs for up there. For whatever reason, Ausable fish are really drawn towards orange.

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Thanks for the info. I like to use tungsten beads, but they can be expensive. This sounds like a good deal.

Originally Posted by LyNcH

I think they will be awesome on the front of an Ausable Ugly and some other nymphs for up there. For whatever reason, Ausable fish are really drawn towards orange.

At this point I'd say that tungsten has rendered brass obsolete. I don't see a reason for brass anymore.

The Ugly is really blowing up in popularity, that fly works surprisingly well everywhere. I take it you know or have fished with Rich Garfield since you live up in that area?

Lynch, Riplips does have a great deal on beads. Picked up 7/64 tungstens last year at the show for that price and have seen no difference tying with them as compared to beads that were way more expensive. They were out of some of the sizes that I like to use this year, but I did get some hot orange in 7/64. I'm not too crazy about their name. I thought that they sold treble hooks when I first heard it.

I totally agree with your observation about orange on the Ausable. Look at all of the popular flies up there that use hot orange thread, such as the Usual, Ausable Wulff, and the Ausable Bomber. Good idea with the orange bead on the Ugly.

Originally Posted by Trout Nazi

At this point I'd say that tungsten has rendered brass obsolete. I don't see a reason for brass anymore.

How about nymphing shallow or slow moving water??? Tungsten is to heavy.

Originally Posted by Johnny Utah

How about nymphing shallow or slow moving water??? Tungsten is to heavy.

Wrap lead around the hookshank, no bead period. I'd rather have a more realistic profile in those situations anyway.

Originally Posted by Trout Nazi

Wrap lead around the hookshank, no bead period. I'd rather have a more realistic profile in those situations anyway.

Yup, I lead the shanks sometimes and an often times with a brass bead on the fly. You havnt seen those mayfly nymphs with the huge gold, copper, or black heads....... They hatch out of fly boxes everywhere!!

the last 2 yrs ive spent over 500.00 on tungsten beads from riplips..i have a few lbs..

Bought my first tungsten beads from RipLips at the 2011 Somerset show, and re-supplied at the 2012 show which just past. It's a great buy for the money.

Riplips tungsten are no doubt great. They are my preferred tungsten bead. Stay away from "lucent" tung or brass beads. They look great but after bouncing bottom for a bit your left with an expensive silver bead. The dont care however.