The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Hey Jeff,

I realize I only half-answered your question.

I use the smallest indicator I can get away with. When I'm using big flies or extreme bead-headed nymphs, I go to the weighty styrofoam indicators.

When I'm on the Juan, I need the smallest indicator possible. I like the biostrike putty in flourescent orange. I use a piece about the size of my smallest fingernail. It can still be incredibly difficult to discern a change in the indicator movement when those 17"-20" fish inhale and exhale a fly in a split second.

Hope this helps.

Geez,
Ginger or Maryann, Bamboo or Graphite, Beer or Wine, French or Straight ...

The answer is always, BOTH !

Paul

at some point in your life, the length of your cast exceeds the distance you can see..hence, indicators and the brighter the better.

Paul

I guess some people just get older than others a little faster....

. . . that reply -- the "can't see" part anyway. I've got some preeeety winged dries in my box that I've tied in and effort to see them better.

When using really small nymphs, I often use dry flies as indicators. Is that still in violation of "The Code" and will that get me put out on the street corner with the other ladies of the night?

2 flies? I see now that you're also a snagger!

Using a dry fly as an indicator?????? Always! What about using an Elk Hair Caddis, with a Rusty spinner as a Dropper and fishing dry dry. During very late evening spinner falls, there is no way to see the tiny rusty spinner. One can strike at every dimple, or give more certainty by using a more visible dry fly with the non-visible dry as the dropper. Another benefit to the dry dry is being able to mend in low light conditions because one can see the more visible fly.

If you're getting rid of your 8 tracks, I could use them to replace my 78 rpm!

Beerfly

I have started to do dry-dry more often now that I'm in my mid 40's. I can't see as well anymore, especially when I'm fishing those smaller flies. Being able to determine the whereabouts of the smaller fly I'm fishing sure does help to eliminate false hook sets! As a bonus the bigger fly sometimes produces strikes from fish not interested in the smaller stuff!

I'm with Phil on this one. On late evening sessions when i can't see the desired fly i'll just put a big caddis on withing 12 inches of the true fly. (whatever the fish might be rising at.)

There's also been moments where a caddis hatch is so intense that i can't tell which fly is mine, so i'll just put something of a completely different color on as well so i have an idea of where i'm fishing.

I assume this is fairly common amongst fly fishermen.