I seldom use a strike indicator when fishing moving water, I just don't like them. I do use them, and hopper/droppers on still waters. But I fish tail waters where there are few hatches, size 28 midges if you are so inclined? So it's mostly down deep, ticking the rocks where I want my fly.
One problem with this discussion is that few of us are fishing the same type of conditions so we are sort of comparing apples to oranges!
I have fished John's home waters and must say he is truly blessed. But I'd sure like to get him over here to fish the Duck and Elk Rivers just for the diversity.