I also try to avoid weighted flies, as they can be a pain to cast, not to mention keep sharp. But then, I fish the Stilly for the most part, and there aren't that many deep deep holes...I can usually find bottom with a 10 wt. type VI. For the times I do need a heavier fly, I use comet-style patterns made of fairly sparse stiff materials with lead eyes...can be deadly to simply let this dangle into the riffle at the head of a pool. For a better profile try bead chain links--and on those shrimp and crawdad patterns, use plastic barbells so you don't end up weighing the back end of the fly down...

No tip is "best." I often end up changing from a floater w/a sinking fly at the head to a full sink at the throat and then work my way back up to a type II as I approach the tailout...the rocks will tell you where you need to be.