Which Indicator to Use?

Indicators are often overlooked when first getting into the fly-fishing game. When most people see them, they just see a bobber. Strike indicators are similar to bobbers in the sense that they show strikes but the way we fish them is often very different. Most modern (American) nymphing techniques require split shot as an anchor to the bottom for a sort of tumbling effect. The indicator, on the top of the water, is generally used to keep those flies moving and ticking the bottom with the drag created. When I think indicators, I think moving water. Yes, we do fish chironomids in lakes with them, but generally indicator fishing is in moving water. Bobbers I generally associate with bait fishing. Indicator fishing requires drifting fly patterns in front of trout directly to them, the trout normally do not come to the nymph. There is no bait attractor to draw those fish in. This is why when lake fishing, a fly fisherman does not cast out and wait for the fish to just hit a fly doing nothing below an indicator. Bobbers generally have a bait with a scent attractor. Yes a fish takes the fly and the indicator is pulled down just like a bobber, but here is where it gets more complicated: What indicator to use when? 1. Thingamabobber -Probably the most widely used indicator today and for good reason. It is very effective at showing strikes and keeping those flies moving and off the bottom. This indicator is the most buoyant of the bunch and works excellent in rough waters and with very heavy rigs (great for drift boats and people new to fly-fishing). It is built the same as a bobber. The down sides of using this indicator is the lack of sensitivity and the splash generated by the indicator hitting the water. It takes an aggressive hit to bring them down, so not a winter or early spring indicator. They also have a tendency to mar your line also. 2. Hard foam indicators with rubber stoppers -This is my least favorite of the bunch. These things generally do not float that well, most cant be used with heavy rigs, and they hit the water hard. Depending on the size used, they can be somewhat sensitive but mainly due to their lack of buoyancy. These are what I used starting out and I never use them today. 3. High density foam Indicator (Loon foam tip toppers) -These are new to the fly fishing world and are a great addition in my opinion. They increase sensitivity and have a smaller profile on the water. They also allow for more delicate presentation. They are not nearly as buoyant as the thingamabobber, but they can still be used with heavier rigs. This is great when fishing decently rough water, but sensitivity is still a must. They are not as delicate as other indicators and I generally use floatant to keep them floating high, but they are still a good choice on most streams. Very well rounded. 4. Pinch-on-float -These are very cool. Simple concept but they essentially are stickers that you pinch on to your line. They work well and more can be added to increase buoyancy. The downside is once its on there, you cant really adjust them. It can take quite a few to keep them on top of the water. They are very sensitive which is great; I never use them because I find myself adjusting depth very often. 5. Polypropylene yarn or wool indicators - These are the most sensitive indicators you can buy no question. This may not seem like a big deal to some but big fish generally do not take a nymph hard so it increases your chances for sure. Depending on the size of your indicator they can hold up a surprising amount of weight (after you add floatant, always add floatant). They can be difficult to cast and need more maintenance then other indicators but this is the most effective in the search for tail water trout. Even the slightest takes register on a yarn indicator and this is so important during the colder months of the year when a take looks like a small twitch on most indicators. They do not work well in rough water, but are great on many streams. Here is the big selling point for me and for a lot of big nymphers: these are easily adjustable. The New Zealand strike indicator system that is now becoming big allows you to move your indicator so quick and easily it is ridiculous. This is a big deal because the others are not so easy. When delicacy is a must, these land on the water so softly its amazing. Great choice for technical trout in places like the South Platte in Colorado. Keep in mind these are my personal opinions and preferences. Im sure you all have yours but hopefully this sheds some light on different nymphing scenarios. There is nothing wrong with bobber fishing I just think the two are different. Thanks guys