Strike Indicators

[cromero68]

I am slowly learning the art of fly fishing. Any advice or info on strike indicators?

[chanceb]

The elitest snobs on the site will tell you not to use one, and dry fly only, but that said, go with the thingamobobber or however the damn thing is spelled. Best one on the market.

[RnF]

Been using these for the past year or so. These things float like a cork, are easy see, to put on and adjust. The thingamabobber is probably a bit better for seeing strikes. I just prefer the hot heads, they are easier to cast.

http://www.wildernessangler.com/servlet/Detail?no=867

[TS30]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat600030&id=0011255310902a&navCount=4&podId=0011255&parentId=cat600030&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat600030&hasJS=true

I've always liked this style. Never used the rubber part though, I've always just busted a stick off a tree or something to fill the gap.

Never used the thingamabobber, but with as much flack as it takes on here, it must mean it is the total $#!%, so I may have to try it out!

[chanceb]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat600030&id=0011255310902a&navCount=4&podId=0011255&parentId=cat600030&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat600030&hasJS=true

I've always liked this style. Never used the rubber part though, I've always just busted a stick off a tree or something to fill the gap.

Never used the thingamabobber, but with as much flack as it takes on here, it must mean it is the total $#!%, so I may have to try it out!

TS, man your bobber is SO old school. Kind of like comparing a Yugo to a Ferrari! :)

[TS30]

TS, man your bobber is SO old school. Kind of like comparing a Yugo to a Ferrari! :)

Of course it's old school. Didn't you get the memo? I have no originality. If it ain't broke don't fix it chanceb.

[westay]

When you are nymphing, you miss most of the takes because you can not see them and the fish eats your fly and spits it out without you ever becoming aware. A strike indicator helps you see a few more of these takes. Most people using an indicator still miss most of the takes, you need to strike anytime the indicator pauses, moves faster, slower, sideways or differs in anyway from a dead drift. If your indicator is big enough, a few fish will hook themselves with the indicator acting like a bobber. It is the bobber aspect, I think that drives purists nuts.

The downside is that wind resistance increases during your cast and the dynamics of the cast are altered. Sometimes a lot, sometimes just subtiley. Also, the currents at the surface and the currents in the water column are different so you really still don't know what is happening to your nymphs, whether you have achieved a dead drift or if your nymph is speeding past at an amazing pace that signals - "Not Food". So your indicator can introduce drag that you might not otherwise get.

Even with the downsides, an indicator is useful to learn to nymph. Among all the indicators that are out there, one of the lightest and therefore least disruptive to your cast is the thingamabobber. I own the 1" and generally find them to be too big and I own the 1/2" and sometimes find them to be too small. The 3/4" are probably a good compromise for most wind and water speeds.

[Curtis Fry]

Has anyone seen those indicators from the guys in Fallon at Hendrix Outdoors? Where are they sold?

[chanceb]

Has anyone seen those indicators from the guys in Fallon at Hendrix Outdoors? Where are they sold?

You might want to check with fishwest. I heard someone mention they carry them.

[Old School]

I don't know why half of you guys think that a majority of the guys who fish dry flies are snobs. Anyways, I think the best purpose a strike indicator serves is to teach someone how to nymph...initially. Once you get to a point where you feel that you want to learn something new, or you are hooking fish consistently, take it off or go down to something that is less of a bobber. You are going to find that tight lining, and czech nymphing rigs are really alot more efficient, and they provide you with an avenue to continue your growth as a fisherman. I'll admit that I started my nymphing with a strike indicator, just like many of the guys on here. But I have really gotten alot more enjoyment and success by ditching the indicator instead of depending on it. On the average, as stated before, and idicator will only respond to 3 out of every 10 fish that eat your nymph. That percentage goes up to 5 out of 10 the moment you let your rod tip and your fingers do the talking. Besides, the whole purpose of fly fishing isn't numbers. If you want numbers, take a spinning rod and worm and go to work. Trust me, a good bait fishermen will put to shame any fly fisherman. Keep growing and trying new things. For me, going with an indicator rig nine times out of ten is dead end. God forbid we swing soft hackles and fish only dries...;)

[Indylab]

Yeah, like chanceb said, you should not even try using an indicator and be an elitist snob like me and only dry fly fish. I love being an elitist snob.

I dry fly fish only because it is much more enjobable to me.

[chanceb]

Yeah, like chanceb said, you should not even try using an indicator and be an elitist snob like me and only dry fly fish. I love being an elitist snob.

I dry fly fish only because it is much more enjobable to me.

Yeah, I did the whole dry fly only thing for a while. I became rather bored with it. People like to think it's the pinnacle of learned fly fishing skill but I beg to differ, and think it falls more to the well rounded fisherman that can toss streamers, nymphs, dries, and maybe swing a wet fly all in one day if that floats his or her boat, but than again to each their own. If you enjoy it fU@# what anyone else thinks about it. Yes, this is a dead horse being beat again! :)

[TS30]

On the average, as stated before, and idicator will only respond to 3 out of every 10 fish that eat your nymph. That percentage goes up to 5 out of 10 the moment you let your rod tip and your fingers do the talking.

So if you have a lower percentage of hook ups using an indicator, doesn't that make it harder to catch fish? Just sayin.......

[Nich]

Yeah, I did the whole dry fly only thing for a while. I became rather bored with it. People like to think it's the pinnacle of learned fly fishing skill but I beg to differ, and think it falls more to the well rounded fisherman that can toss streamers, nymphs, dries, and maybe swing a wet fly all in one day if that floats his or her boat, but than again to each their own. If you enjoy it fU@# what anyone else thinks about it. Yes, this is a dead horse being beat again! :)

Chance nailed it on that one. It's all about what you enjoy and what your goals are. Some days I'll dry or dry dropper up stream and hit the banks and prime lies. Then when I come across a need hole or a nice run I''ll nymph it. Then on the way back down stream I'll throw a streamer or if it's close to dark a mouse. I like all aspects and techniques of the sport and thats what I love so much about it.

[JoeDaddy]

I'm by for no expert, but have had good success with 2 pieces of nylon rope about 3" (red & yellow) tied in an x, and then tied in a loop over itself and combed out to form a big red & yellow afro. It's easy to move up and down your line as needed and works great. I have also used small water balloons (with out the water of course). I haven't noticed any problems casting with the nylon rope thingy, but the balloons do have a lot of resistance, however, they are more sensative.

I'm not yet an elitest, just striving for it.;)

[Old School]

So if you have a lower percentage of hook ups using an indicator, doesn't that make it harder to catch fish? Just sayin.......

One could make that argument, but from what I have seen guiding and teaching it doesn't take that much skill for someone to watch an indicator. In my classes I stress the importance of learning proper technique, rather than catching fish. And inevitably, it is when we are working with nymphs that someone catches a fish. Point being, after a little bit of instruction with an indicator, even the rawest of the raw can catch fish. Where as tight lining takes a lot of time and practice to master. Only through practice and learning how to designate between the bottom and fish can you learn it. Like anything else, it just takes practice and getting out and doing it to make it work. And it does work very well. But even then, I like my soft hackles and dries...

[Cary]

The elitest snobs on the site....

That would be me. Don't use one.

[chanceb]

That would be me. Don't use one.

Just to clarify; I wasn't implying that everyone that doesn't use a bobber is an elitest snob, but rather a large majority of those that don't seem to think they are superior for not doing so. I just think it's funny that most "dry fly only" guys have to always announce it like it's some damn big accomplishment they've achieved in life.

[tfopro]

My nymph fishing success quadrupled when I started mending my line properly and using all my senses. Mend the line so that you can FEEL the strike somewhat, and LOOK for movement under the water near your nymph (wear polarized lenses) or a slight tug on the tipper or leader. Often, I strike when I see the fishes side flash near the nymph and successfully hook up.

[Cary]

I once had a guy point to the peice of yarn on my leader. He said, "I see you are still using a training wheel".

[TS30]

Like anything else, it just takes practice and getting out and doing it to make it work.

I feel ya Old School, just being a bit of a dink. I am more of the school of thought that chanceb is preaching. A good fisherman is surely not gauged on if he fishes dry flies. I respect a person that can do it all. I'm trying to get there. I have about 3 more years until I start thinking like a fish.

I once had a guy point to the peice of yarn on my leader. He said, "I see you are still using a training wheel"

That's actually pretty funny.

[cromero68]

So how long before I can be an elitest? I hope at some point that I can walk on the Provo River and comand the trout to take my baetis at my will. Until then I will seek the advice of the trout gods on this forum because they know everything!

[cromero68]

I think I will evolve into a fish by next spring!

[cromero68]

Haha... Can someone explain "mending your line"? Is it flipping your slack line ahead of your fly before it floats tight?

[Pat11]

When you "tight line" aren't you watching the line most of the time anyway, subtle strikes are indicated by the line rising or tightening a little, much more often then feeling it... usually if you get a tug you missed it. Watching your line, watching an indicator... whats the dif? Watching for the flash of the fish? Although I like fishing to fish I can see.... most of the time I am nymph fishing is pretty much blind.

[Old School]

When you "tight line" aren't you watching the line most of the time anyway, subtle strikes are indicated by the line rising or tightening a little, much more often then feeling it... usually if you get a tug you missed it. Watching your line, watching an indicator... whats the dif? Watching for the flash of the fish? Although I like fishing to fish I can see.... most of the time I am nymph fishing is pretty much blind.

You can definitely do that. I know a lot of people that do it that way and they are deadly, but they aren't just watching for their line to go tight. You can actually feel a little resistance that after a little experience, you know is a fish nine times out of ten. I actually close my eyes a lot of the time and really try to "feel" that slight bit of resistance instead of letting my eyes do the talking for me. Gotta let loose your Jedi senses...

[TS30]

I actually close my eyes a lot of the time and really try to "feel" that slight bit of resistance instead of letting my eyes do the talking for me.

Old School = Fish Whisperer!

[F/V Gulf Ventur]

When you "tight line" aren't you watching the line most of the time anyway, subtle strikes are indicated by the line rising or tightening a little, much more often then feeling it... usually if you get a tug you missed it.

Interesting theory. Perhaps you should try and "Czech" it.

Watching your line, watching an indicator... whats the dif?

Depth control thought the entire drift maybe? Just a thought.

[Nich]

Interesting theory. Perhaps you should try and "Czech" it.



Depth control thought the entire drift maybe? Just a thought.


Depth control. Interesting very interesting!

[tfopro]

By "Czeching" it I presume you're referring to stripping the leader slightly faster than a dead drift and twitching the nymph? That has worked very nicely. Try this technique with emergers and strip the line to make the nymph rise towards the surface -- works really well when fish are hitting caddis or mayfly emergers during a hatch.

[Copper Trout]

I've use skips originals they are a good product if you use indicators. Depends on the situation and expectations IMO.

[ben trod]

Whats the difference between czech nymphing, High sticking, Brooks method, lyzingring lift.....seems like this czech nymphing is just a new fancy term.... for methods that have been around for decades. Just my 2cents.

[Pat11]

I think you can control depth with the amount of weight relative to the speed of the water.... or use plenty of weight and an indicator with tons of bouyancy. So if I am reading this thread right at some point in time I will be able to feel a fish hit my nymph before there is any movement in the line? tight lining it that tight (and still have a drag free drift) is some pretty technical fishing... I still just watch the line or an indicator as I am still tuning the spidey senses.

[Raff]

Have any of you seen or tried these?
http://www.snapzindicators.com/

I saw the ad in ThisisFly. And we thought the thingamabobbers might have been a bit excessive.

[smoothie]

I'm by for no expert, but have had good success with 2 pieces of nylon rope about 3" (red & yellow) tied in an x, and then tied in a loop over itself and combed out to form a big red & yellow afro. It's easy to move up and down your line as needed and works great. I have also used small water balloons (with out the water of course). I haven't noticed any problems casting with the nylon rope thingy, but the balloons do have a lot of resistance, however, they are more sensative.

I'm not yet an elitest, just striving for it.;)


JoeDaddy,

Did you by chance take a fly fish class from Mike Navidomskis at Davis High? He uses that same exact indicator that you're talking about. I've used it a lot in the past. Works great.

I bought me a Thingamabobber last month, and I like those too.

[smoothie]

Speaking of nymphing...

What are some of your techniques for getting some weight on your line to fish the bottom of the river?

Up till about a month ago, I always put my split shot about 10-12 inches above my first nymph.

I learned a new technique recently where you put all the weight on the very end of your line...and I like it a lot better.

[cardiac]

Saw this on the back of jonescort's Vespa

[fishned]

Besides, the whole purpose of fly fishing isn't numbers. If you want numbers, take a spinning rod and worm and go to work. Trust me, a good bait fishermen will put to shame any fly fisherman. Keep growing and trying new things. For me, going with an indicator rig nine times out of ten is dead end.

I just laughed to myself and figured the author was early in his learning curve and eventually might come to fish better.

Then a few posts later the same author came up with this:

One could make that argument, but from what I have seen guiding and teaching it doesn't take that much skill for someone to watch an indicator. In my classes I stress the importance of learning proper technique, rather than catching fish. And inevitably, it is when we are working with nymphs that someone catches a fish. Point being, after a little bit of instruction with an indicator, even the rawest of the raw can catch fish.

All I can say is if you are unable to out catch any bait caster on any stream at any time at least 5 to 1, you probably need to give up your teaching career and go back to learning for a few years.

[Tyson]

"Fish are entitled to the sanctuary of deep water" I think Lee Wulff said that

"I use kindercaters, except when I'm not using them" I said that

[Old School]

I just laughed to myself and figured the author was early in his learning curve and eventually might come to fish better.

Then a few posts later the same author came up with this:

One could make that argument, but from what I have seen guiding and teaching it doesn't take that much skill for someone to watch an indicator. In my classes I stress the importance of learning proper technique, rather than catching fish. And inevitably, it is when we are working with nymphs that someone catches a fish. Point being, after a little bit of instruction with an indicator, even the rawest of the raw can catch fish.

All I can say is if you are unable to out catch any bait caster on any stream at any time at least 5 to 1, you probably need to give up your teaching career and go back to learning for a few years.

Whooeee! Looks like I might of offended someone's ego here. Haha, let me guess, you know everything and you are just a god of fishing. Hate to tell you this my friend, numbers are not everything. You see, when you reach a point in your fishing you don't feel like competing with losers such as yourself. You let people, like yourself, make stupid comments to the tune of sounding as if you know everything, and making people, such as myself with 16+years of experience-out to be a noob who knows absolutely nothing. When in fact, I got it all figured out. I figured out a long time ago that limiting myself to an eight fish limit and taking the time to observe what was hatching and when, and just taking it all in was what fishing was all about. I let people like you insult my approach, because I could care less what you think. Go fish your balloons, your indicators, or whatever you do and catch every fish out there. I'll watch you flail by with no etiquette, no casting skills, no real idea other than your own pea brained initiative with a beer and a smile. Oh, as far as the bait fishing comment. I watched four fly fishermen flog through a hole one day on the middle provo with marginal success. Up came this old guy with a can of worms and an old rod. That old man caught ten fish, where as the fishermen before him caught little to none. One or two needed some work, the other two were good sticks. Technique over your impatience. Grow up little fishned. You got alot of growing to do...

[cromero68]

I started this topic and am quite impressed by all the replies. I have learned alot from reading everyones experiences. I have been trying alot of the indicators talked about in this thread and I seem to really like a larger fly with a smaller one as a dropper. It seems more natural and I can actually see more subtle movements when a trout takes the fly. Keep the comments coming in. We can only learn from everyone elses fishing experiences.

[Tyson]

Old School,
a non-competitive "Czech" nympher that doesn't care about numbers? That just proves anything can become possible in fly fishing.

first of all, this comparing of which approach is more deadly, which requires more skill, is all anectdotal and subjective. Furthermore, please stop yacking about it until you specify where you are fishing and what lies you choose to target (big fish? most accessible fish? riffle? flat? cutbank? big water? small? fast, medium or slow? clear? turbid? No method owns it all). I am going to go out on a limb and suggest people with different approaches may target very different rivers as well as different parts of a river, just a guess. There is some overlap but I know I spend a lot of time in gnarly water that is often unwadeable while my friend fishes the inner banks and riffles. Whatever stirs your emotions.

Secondly, all these "stats" of 3 out of 10 or whatever, they sound bogus and I doubt they are based on any data. If there were actually counts made it still means nothing until you specify the exact set up being used, how they use it and where.

[fishned]

Whooeee! Looks like I might of offended someone's ego here. Haha, let me guess, you know everything and you are just a god of fishing. Hate to tell you this my friend, numbers are not everything. You see, when you reach a point in your fishing you don't feel like competing with losers such as yourself. You let people, like yourself, make stupid comments to the tune of sounding as if you know everything, and making people, such as myself with 16+years of experience-out to be a noob who knows absolutely nothing. When in fact, I got it all figured out. I figured out a long time ago that limiting myself to an eight fish limit and taking the time to observe what was hatching and when, and just taking it all in was what fishing was all about. I let people like you insult my approach, because I could care less what you think. Go fish your balloons, your indicators, or whatever you do and catch every fish out there. I'll watch you flail by with no etiquette, no casting skills, no real idea other than your own pea brained initiative with a beer and a smile. Oh, as far as the bait fishing comment. I watched four fly fishermen flog through a hole one day on the middle provo with marginal success. Up came this old guy with a can of worms and an old rod. That old man caught ten fish, where as the fishermen before him caught little to none. One or two needed some work, the other two were good sticks. Technique over your impatience. Grow up little fishned. You got alot of growing to do...

In the first place, you know nothing about me. Assaulting me with a bunch of unsubstantiated conjecture does nothing at all to make your case.

Although I suppose you want me to stand in awe of your 16+ years of experience, I stand behind what I said about if you can't outfish any baitfisherman then you probably shouldn't be guiding or teaching without a little more work on your own game. And telling me a little anecdote about some old guy outfishing you and your "good stick" buddies constitutes little evidence to the contrary. Hell, for all you know, I might just be that old guy.

If you wish to impress me or persuade me in the direction of your point of view, you would do well to present arguments supporting it and opposing mine rather than running off at the mouth with an attempt to attack who I am, something that you obviously know nothing about whatsoever.

[TS30]

The blessed ad hominem attack. That was a pretty decent rant there by the fish whisperer (aka- Old School), wouldn't you guys say?

[Pat11]

Old sounding dudes spouting off at each other...and about fishing with or without strike indicators....do not ever tell me there is no entertaining fly fishing related material on this site. It is endless.

[Grizz]

true, so true. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they fish.

Never, & I mean never let them see you sweat.

8) peace

[Tyson]

true, so true. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they fish.

Never, & I mean never let them see you sweat.

8) peace
Self expression and the split personality
by Art N. Hunt

Cromero, I think you are the one who has already figured it out. Any nymphing beyond dry-dropper and you've entered a completely different game. Leader flicking polish nymphs with a super long rod, lobbing bobbers and gear with a fly rod, whats the difference relative to fly fishing? Its all an equally unpretty down-in-their-face way to fish, both developed for specific situations. Sometimes a starving artist has to eat. ;)

[G-Man 905]

I think that we forget in our pursuits why we are out there. I have been fishing more than concerning myself with sites such as these for quite some time. I can't get over how many negative posts pop up across message boards like these. Fishned- I teach, guide, and pursue fish in technical water. To me, numbers don't matter because I am about the, the hunt, the stalk. I am a Railroad Ranch addict. Numbers up there are not a thing to concern oneself with. All you need is one fish, and your day, sometimes your trip is complete. I teach my students to reach for more of a technical/deeper understanding besides numbers of fish caught. Why? You learn more that way, and when it comes time that they are alone without a teacher, they will be able to stand on their own two feet, and get a better understanding. Does this mean that I should give up my teaching and guiding because I am not numbers guy?
You called out Old School because he claimed that "any" baitfisherman can outfish a fly fisherman. You then insulted him, instead of asking him to provide examples, or clarify what he meant.Resulting in his little tirade. I see that he is banned now, and good ridance if that's how he takes a little criticism, but I can see why he felt insulted. I would feel insulted if someone who didn't know me blasted my ability to teach and guide-especially if I knew that I was quite competent. What if I told you that what he said had some truth to it? It is truth: A GOOD baitfisherman can match and outdue a good fly fisherman. Maybe not every day, but did you ever pause to think why we have catch and release? It wasn't singularly because of fly fisherman. So many fish were being taken by worm dunkers that something had to be done. Both of you need to think a little bit more before you speak. This was supposed to be a thread helping out a new guy. What good did any of your comments do?
Etiquette and respect applies on the river-and here.

[F/V Gulf Ventur]

Some good points G-Man.

[ben trod]

The point you supported G man, on Bait being more effective because it was cause for catch and release regs to be put on some waters, seems flawed. Maybe the fact that bait fisherman fish to keep and eat fish, should be part of the equation also. A compitant crowd of flyfishers that kept everything they caught could reek havoc on a fishery. Maybe its more of an ethical thing between the two groups. I personally feel that both methods of fishing are extremely effective and to argue which is more so seems futile.

[raposaNegra]

While bait fishing it is inherently harder to practice catch and release fishing, you ever successfully unhook a fish with a worm hook six inches down its gullet? Fish take flies in the lip and most baits down deep.

Having said that.... I have fished with a buddy of mine who switches between fly fishing and worm dunking. A couple of times I have cleaned his clock on the SF casting dries while he was dunking worms, and a couple of times he has cleaned mine why I tried to figure out what the fish were on.

Depends entirely on water conditions, the fish and the flyfisherman's ability to figure out what the fish are interested in...... where a worm will almost always catch a fish.

[Grizz]

While bait fishing it is inherently harder to practice catch and release fishing, you ever successfully unhook a fish with a worm hook six inches down its gullet? Fish take flies in the lip and most baits down deep..

I believe it's all relative. There are times for sure, but most of the time it's timing & nothing more & unless the bait fishing fisherman has a #22 spent wing calitrico spinner, he's pretty much lucked. Lucky is good & good is better, it's a futile & chance venture. Some of the time, most of them are eating, but only in the most unsuspecting lies.

A target is a target. Bulls eye.

peace

[FLYGODELITIST]

My dad Joe was a great fisherman, worms and fly, he even makes his own strike indicators out of real cork, cool A.

[JoeDaddy]

My dad Joe was a great fisherman, worms and fly, he even makes his own strike indicators out of real cork, cool A.

Sounds like someone I'd enjoy fishing with, & what do you know, he has a great name. I used to have some uncles that were great fishermen in the same manner, both worms & flies, but was too young to get to hang out with them. They were gone before I realized what I missed. Stupid teenage years.