and it'll take a better fisherman than me to say he is...about fishing that is...now on politics
As the NCFFB's bobicator of reputation, I can vouch that indicator fishing is usually a shortcut to successful catching, bypassing the nymphing learning curve.
In the old days when I steelheaded with Steve V, Pappy and Willie, Steve was a master at steelhead nymphing with a dry line. He taught Pappy, who was getting better at it just before they discovered center pin/float rod fishing. Willie either swung flies or used an indicator (although he hated it)once the water temps got winter-cold, and he used to marvel at Steve's success rate.
These guys caught fish, often. I didn't fish with them long enough to learn if indicator fishing was more successful, but I believe that in certain circumstances, if you're going for a maximum body count, a good bobicator will outfish a good nympher.
Keep in mind, Jeff, that a lot of the fishermen on this board value the craft more than the catch, and you can't argue that point since it's a matter of personal preference.
After becoming a pretty decent indicator fisher for steelhead, I find that I sometimes have to force myself to try other techniques, although as I'm fond of saying, "Let the water tell you which technique to use".
This past February on the American, swinging leeches was the technique that produced, so that's how I fished. I swung ESLs on the T then too, so I'm not really a die-hard bobicator, but that technique definitely has its place in my repertoire.
The other water that I fish a lot is the San Juan River in northern New Mexico. If the fish aren't rising, 98% of the fishermen on that blue ribbon stream use indicators. The reason is, when those bows inhale a size 24 nymph, the take is so soft that you can barely see a change in an indicator's float-path, when the 'cator is half the size of a dime. I think it would be really tough to detect that light take when nymphing.
As far as calling it "prostitution", just remember what Uncle Jack used to say...something like, "if you're not using bamboo and dries, you're not fly fishing"...and as a friend of mine likes to say, "We're talking about fishing here, not your immortal soul!", so what the hey, enjoy yourself and fish however you want.
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