I just found a nice article on making my own indicators using braided macrame yarn. Once they separated the braids it looks a lot like EP. I also purchased some synthetic yarn from a craft store that I am using for my adams wings that also looks like it will work once I waterproof it. Any ideas if EP or the cheap synthetic yarn from Michaels will work for indicators?
I use to do that with polypopylene yarn and orthdontic rubber band. Then apply floatant. Worked ok and was cheap. But, took a little more time to make.
Now, much easier to use the Thingamabobbers --- much much easier.
Polypropylene macrame yarn floats well and is very cheap. A few dollars for several lifetimes supply. It seems a little more coarse than EP fibers to me. It takes me a couple if minutes to make a yarn indicator, tied with thread. EP fibers might work. If you have some on hand, go ahead and try it. I wouldn't buy it just for indicators though.
I have used antron craft store yarn forever. Makes nice parachute or parrasol flies as well as indicators. I use Thompson's waterseal to treat it (at home proir to using).
Bob
I have always found the yarn type indicators sink too quickly and get heavy to cast when they start to get water logged, even the poly ones.
Buy a Thingamabobber. Or, if you want to save some money, I even had one guide once who used really small white balloons, filled with just a little air and tied off, then attached to the leader.
Larry ---sagefisher---
Loon Outdoors product: Strikeout or Strike Two indie yarn floats better than any other i've ever tried. Find out what they use and your yarn will never sink...even when wet. I re-use my little pieces when i switch to dries or soft hackles from using weighted nymphs. Just stow 'em in a vest pocket till you need them again.
Sorry to bring back an old thread, but I always do a search before posting a question!
I just bought some Braided Macrame yarn. A couple of guys I met on the Salmon River have me absolutely convinced of the strike detection worthiness of Yarn indicators. I found a really nice article online about making yarn indicators with a rubber O-ring, some thread, and the braided macrame yarn.
They also apply a permanent waterproofing agent Loons Hydrostop. Is there an alternative to Loons Hydrostop? Another name brand etc? I saw something called water shed, but not really conducive to dipping a yarn indicator in it.
Thanks for the help! Any tidbits on polypropylene Macrame indicators would be appreciated as well! Thanks!
You can use Watershed. Just squeeze out a few drops onto the indicator and work it in with your fingers. Let it dry overnight and your set.
I use the old style ( green can) Scotch Guard, and it works well. Unfortunately, it is no longer available and the new formula (red can) is different.
Although I've never used it, I've been told that "Silicone Water Guard" in the camping dept of Walmart will waterproof flies. Spray it into a baby food jar, as soak your flies. Place on paper towel to dry.