Indicators – What do you use?

I have and use the Thingamabobber, the one with a stopper. They are easy to move and come in different sizes. The downside is some of them slip. Otherwise, I like the simplicity of the system. I have and do use the New Zealand system but I don’t like the way it kinks the leader. I am now going to try the system similar to the Thingamabobber but with the screw on stopper. The downside to this is obvious, if you drop the top it’s useless. I suppose there isn’t a perfect system so I keep looking.

Bill

Bill, I like the suggestion of the New Zealand strike indicator system, especially when nymphing. It’s my favorite indicator. It takes time learning how to use this system. But, I have found it is very stealthy for spooky fish, great for technical waters, easily adjustable, knotless and sensitive. One knock against the system is that with heavier flies the system will not stay a float. I have made a adjustment to the system when using heavier flies. I use a aquarium size tubing that will allow to add more wool to the system keeping the indicator a float. It works great.
I believe the reason when we out fishing the smaller streams recently, I had better results catching fish with this system compared to the indicator system you were using. Just my opinion.

• This reply was modified 7 years ago by MOfishMO.

Way to tell everyone you smoked me, Mike.

Bill

We need imogees on this forum so I can stick my tongue out at Mike.

Wow! there are so many types. I started out, years ago, with a cork and swivel indicator, looked sorta like a football. Then I think I went with a yarn indicator, really sensitive as I remember. Did not like it much, hard to see. The thingamabobber is good. It allows you to make adjustments quickly. Different sizes and colors, I usually stay with white. The New Zealand Indicator, it is okay after you figure out how to keep it afloat, it will kink the leader if not careful. Lately I have been using Rio two tone indicator. It is supposed to be used for Euro style nymphing. I tie it into the middle of my leader or before my tippet using tippet rings. It really helps see the takes when fishing soft hackles or nymphing.

Tim

Here’s a tip I received from Landon Mayer regarding Thingamabobbers. He prefers clear because they look more natural from underneath the water. He has photos taken from underwater that shows how the clear looks like a surface water bubble vs a more un-natural object floating on the surface. Thought is the trout could interpret as a bubble vs something unnatural especially the pinks, yellows, etc. I will have to say if I don’t have a clear then I go with white.

+1 for the New Zealand indicator. It is the most sensitive indicator out there and it casts like a dry fly. As a heads up, the manufacturer has added a larger tube for heavier flies, so you don’t have to experiment with other stuff. I have not had the problem with kinking the tippet. You may be trying to pull too much wool through the tube. Try reducing the amount of wool and roll it between your fingers before putting it in the loop.
Dave

My experience with the New Zealand indicator has also been that pulling too hard on the leader or tippet is what causes the kinking. I love this indicator, but getting it balanced right does get tedious. Too much indicator material, and you have the danger of kinking your leader. Too little in the tube, and the indicator will slip on the line. For use with heavier flies, I’ve had some success with using a larger amount of the indicator material, but then pulling the wad apart some to thin out the middle, so that you can get the tube over it. This indicator will also get saturated after a while, and tend to sink, but I’ve found that you can keep it floating much like you would with any dry fly. Squeeze out the excess water, do some false casts, and/or apply some floatant.

I try to use an indicator that is sized just large enough to stay afloat during the drift. I prefer the New Zealand or the Lightning Strike indicator size 1/2″. I’ve seen other fishermen having a tough day catching fish and had them switch to one of those indicators. I then watched their day turn around with their catch rate increasing significantly. My opinion is that if the indicator is too large it can create resistance when a fish takes the fly and makes it difficult to visibly see movement of the indicator on the water.