Glass vs tungsten beads

[Wiznet]

Hey guys! Curious why/when folks use glass vs tungsten beads on midge patterns.

Thanks!

 

[Zak]

Hey guys! Curious why/when folks use glass vs tungsten beads on midge patterns.

Thanks!

Cause they're so pretty! I usually use tungsten beads on chironomids to get them down.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

I use glass beads on my chironomids because I’m cheap and I tie a lot of them! I use two flies and a swivel so there’s enough weight to get them down. Besides I’m still on the first vial of white beads from a bead store vs a tiny package from a fly shop….

 

[Wiznet]

so its really just visual then? Not much utility difference

 

[Bambooflyguy]

As far as I can tell….maybe ask the fish! Seems like they both imitate white gills….

 

[SurfnFish]

All about the density rating, tungsten at 19.28 vs glass at 2.5...the higher the density the faster the drop rate, the less motion response to surface chop, as well as the need for more indicator buoyancy.

 

[BigSplashTom]

I prefer using certain colors of glass over tungsten because the glass reflects light better.
My fav is red

 

[Chucker]

Glass beads with a silvery inner look like an air bubble underwater, and so imitate that stage of chironomid hatching pretty well. That’s why I use them. I don’t think the fish notice the difference though.

 

[SurfnFish]

Glass beads with a silvery inner look like an air bubble underwater, and so imitate that stage of chironomid hatching pretty well. That’s why I use them. I don’t think the fish notice the difference though.

a pic of one...?

 

[Wiznet]

Now are chironomid and midges interchangeable? Google seems to call chironomid non-biting midges. The reason I ask is I've got a few midges I've tied up for tailwaters. And wondering if its worth putting on glass beads or not.

 

[Norm Frechette]

glass for show, tungsten for below

 

[Norm Frechette]

a pic of one...?

google found these silver lined beads

 

[Zoran]

Midges with glass bead and chironomids with tungsten

 

[Kilchis]

Glass beads are allergic to forceps.

 

[RCF]

Tungsten beads are for deep fishing and glass beads that are silvered lined other situations/tactics...