Posted by Jim E (24.116.99.140) on August 28, 2003 at 14:48:41:
Got indicators?
Indicators. A controversial subject amongst the "elite" of our sport.
Some will look down upon those that use them and then there are those
that will look down upon anyone that doesn't always use a dry fly. I have
no problem with those don't use an indicator (or those that just use dry
flies, either). In fact, I would prefer that those that choose not to use
indicators wouldn't change their ways. It just leaves more fish for us
that use them to catch. A bold statement you might say, but it is still
true.
It has been said that if you are nymphing without an indicator, you are
not seeing 9 out of 10 strikes. I believe it and have proven it to myself.
Yes, there are times that I don't use indicators when nymphing but 95% of
the time I have one on.
I once spent some time experimenting with nymphs and indicators. I was
fishing a run where several fish were holding. I could easily see these
fish since I had a fairly high vantage point while standing on a boulder.
As my nymph and indicator drifted through the fish, I could see them
darting back and forth, striking at my offering but never fully taking
it and never causing the indicator to move. The next drift I intensely fixed my eyes on my indicator watching it
for any change in its drift. There it was. What I'll call micro movement.
So as fast I could I set the hook, to no avail. Again, another drift,
same results. So on the next drift I tight lined as much as I could
without hindering the indicators drift. The first micro movement and I
quickly set the hook. I felt him but still no hookup. Another drift, set
the hook, stuck him but quickly broke off the 5X tippet from such a hard
hook set. After changing to a 4X tippet and tying on another fly I
continued my experiment.
With the same procedure on the next drift I enjoyed the fruits of my
labor, a hookup and the landing of a decent sized rainbow. To succeed I
had to concentrate immensely on my indicator and a fast, strong hookset
that also depended on my fast action rod to drive the hook home quickly. Now knowing what it took, I went on to catch a few more fish but also missed several more.
I wrote all of that to show just how fast a fish can strike a fly. I believe that often strikes go undetected even with an indicator but can’t even begin to imagine how many are/would be missed if one was not using an indicator.
While fishing on the White river I once had a fly fisherman tell me that a trout can inhale a fly, determine if it is real or not and then expel it in less time than it takes a golf club to strike a golf ball. That’s fast !!!
So my tip is, if you are fishing nymphs use an indicator. What kind of indicator is up to you. There are foam ones, yarn ones, putty that you mold on ones, sticky backed ones, balsa wood ones etc. After awhile you will be able to tell the difference between a rock (or the bottom) and a fish strike. But if you think it’s a fish, strike hard and fast. Hook sets are free.
Thanks for reading and I appreciate any comments. My email address can be had by clicking on my name above in blue.
Jim Enns <*)))))))><