Well the classic answer I guess is “It depends.”A bead is primarily a weight which takes your fly down faster and in a river will keep it at the depth you wish to fish. So -a) the bigger the bead the heavier it is b) tungsten beads are heavier than brass beads.
However this being said coloured beads can be used as a hot spot and because they are well forward can make your pattern move up and down during the retrieve.
The chart below is a rough guide to get you started.
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Well the classic answer I guess is "It depends." A bead is primarily a weight which takes your fly down faster and in a river will keep it at the depth you wish to fish. So -a) the bigger the…