Strike Indicators

[NJTroutbum]

As far as rigging goes, the type of fly fished dictates most of it for me. I tend to fish furled leaders, and when I know nymphing will be the primary way of fishing on a given outing I go to a furled 5 1/2' mono leader with a micro swivvel and add 4 ft of 6lb Stren Flourocast. From there the last fly dictates.

I prefer to avoid splitshot if possible. If I am fishing both beadheads, I tie the second to the bend of the first with 4lb Stren Flourocast, leaving an 18" dropper. If I need alot of weight, I will add an anchor fly such as a heavy Skittle or Like pattern as the first pattern. If more is needed I will add small shot as needed at the midway point of the dropper. If the trail pattern is unweighted, I add the splitshot above the first pattern, leaving the lighter fly on the dropper to freely move.

[fritz]

After initially starting this thread, I have watched numerous videos on nymphing and discovered dozens opinions on setups. Kelly Galloup is the only one who puts a split shot on the bottom of the rig (where legal) and did a good job of explaining his logic. However, he is the only one, I saw, who uses that method. He also had good reasoning for using the perfection loop for droppers. Most of the videos used a Thingamabob (Sp) for the indicator, if at all. In any case, nymph fishing seems to be very effective and logical when there is not a good hatch. I am just now getting serious about giving it a try this Spring. Of course, I have asked for and will consider any advice. Thanks to those already responding.

Thanks for the Galloup video. He makes sense. However, instead of a split shot to bottom out the line, I think I would try a heavily weighted nymph to increase my strike chances. Best wishes

[jcampbell]

Thanks for the Galloup video. He makes sense. However, instead of a split shot to bottom out the line, I think I would try a heavily weighted nymph to increase my strike chances. Best wishes

Fritz, Kelly's reasoning for using splitshot at the bottom rather than a weighted nymph also makes sense in that the nymph would hang up more and trout do no look down to feed off the bottom. I think it makes sense to have the bottom nymph about six inches off the bottom and above the splitshot. The second nymph will be tied in about 8 to 12 inches above that. I plan to try several of the alternatives this year to see what works best for my waters. Thanks.

[DUB]

So easy. Does not kink your leader. Floats like a cork. I bought 500 rubber bands at the dollar store that work just fine.
Learn to nymph with and with out an indicator.

https://youtu.be/vnbKjRx8YrM

[ScottP]

I'm not a good nympher. Can't argue with the results and I'll fish them when I have to, like the past week when flows were way up and the water was too cold for any surface feeding, even though midges were coming off in the millions (billions?); I just prefer to see fish rise to a dry. Lobbing a 2 fly rig in the wind (there's always wind) with 3 bb shot quickly reminds me of all the batting practice I pitched and why my shoulder makes those strange sounds (I've used up my allotment of cortisone shots, so I just have to grin and bear it). Also, I hate losing flies to rocks, which is part of the deal if you want to get your flies where the fish are; rocks are cold and unfeeling. Trees and bushes give you a chance at redemption, although you may have to replace some frayed tippet.
Having said this, I found Thingamabobbers helped the process, pretty much (but not always) staying where I put them and helping me detect subtle strikes I probably would have missed otherwise. What I didn't like was how they kinked the leader and were a bit clumsy to move up and down the line. I got a few with the Jam Stop last week and was not unhappy with the results; they'd slide down after 10 casts or so, but it was easy enough to reposition them and get back in business. I'll be glad when the fish start looking up, but in the mean time it's split shot/bobber season where I'm fishing.

Regards,
Scott