I am sure this has probably been discussed, but I am not having any luck finding it. I know some don’t use them and I envy you that skill, but I am new at this and would like to catch a fish every once in a while. So, what is your prefered strike indicator?
thanks,
hNt
This is not what you want to hear, but there is no BETTER strike indicator, but there are PREFERRED options.
I make closed cell foam indicators that look like a fluffy yarn indicator but float better.
But my favorite indicator is to use a stimulator (Kaufmann’s or Sofa Pillow)
The hottest thing in Colorado looks like a gum ball size plastic bubble.
Oklahoma fishermen seem to prefer small yarn in a “Y” shape.
I have seen many fish caught on styrofoam corks you could use for bluegill.
If you get into agressive fish (including trout), the indicator is going to go down like you were after sunfish.
If you get into typical trout, ANY change in the indicator’s movement is probably a strike.
Many trout fishermen tell you the fish can be scared by an indicator. That seems to be less true every year.
These are good for only a couple of adjustments but are great if used for midging. And be sure to dispose of your waste properly.
thingamabobbers!
Over the years I have tried many different strike indicators.
The little sticky foam type–makes a mess on the leader and not easy to adjust.
The poly yarn type–way too much air resistance and they sink low in the water, and the O Ring causes big kinks in the leader as you adjust the depth.
The foam/O Ring indicators–way too much air resistance and the O Ring causes big kinks in the leader as you adjust the depth.
The foam type with the slit down the side and a rubber insert that you twist your leader around–they come off all the time I don’t care how much you twist, which also can cause kinks in the leader.
Biostrike type paste–too messy for me, gets all over everything.
Short pieces of hollow line with bright colors–not enough floatation for the western river stonefly nymphs and multi fly type rigs.
Any type of indicator that uses a toothpick to crimp down on the leader–my tippet can catch that toothpick and cause a heck of a mess, no matter how close you trim the toothpick, yet you have to grab the toothpick to adjust the depth.
Balloons–OMG, give me a break. I used them once when the guide said they were great and he had already rigged it. The O Ring causes big kinks in the leader as you adjust the depth and they will loose air. I took it off and handed him my preferred brand to use the rest of the day.
Hard Plastic balloons–again, OMG, give me a break. I had one guide tell me that they were far more sensitive than other types and he had already rigged my line so I gave it a try. Again, the bad kink in the leader (which you should be able to tell my now, really bugs me) and they were not any more sensitive than my preferred brand. I took it off after half a day and went to my brand.
So what do I use? My preferred strike indicator is the Frog Hair brand. Either the one time use type or the reusable type, they both work great. No kinks in the leader. You can very easily adjust the depth within seconds. They come in different sizes, so pick the one you want to use that day and it will work all day long. The only drawback is they sometimes will slide around on a leader that is too small for the size you are using. The simple solution for that is to tie in a knot at the lowest point on the leader that you know you will use that day. Then it will only slide that far. Not really much of a problem as you have to bring your rig in every so often anyway to check the hooks for trash and damage.
In my humble opinion, Frog Hair has all the others beat, hands down.
Larry 
—sagefisher—
Parachute Adams or small foam hopper. About 25% of the fish go for the “indicator”. 
+1 on the foam hopper. I use foam spiders a lot - foam body and rubber legs - works great!
(Moved to ‘new’ thread)
Buddy
Buddy you have peek my interest, any links pictures of your preferred strike detection devices.
I’m with FlySwatter. If I am going to use an indicator than a small yellow popper with 8" - 12" (sometimes as much as 18") is a deadly combo.
hNt,
I cannot help you with that question because I never use an indicator and I nymph fish 99% of the time. What I will do for you is help you with fishing without an indicator if you care to make the trip my way. That way you can decide which way you wish to fish. I just do not care for indicators. I would much rather concentrate on the end of my fly line and let it be my indicator. You may decide you need to use indicators and that is fine. Now, before someone posts on how many fish I am missing because I do not use an indicator, I really do not care because I am happy with how many I catch without using an indicator. There is nothing wrong with using indicators, it is just not something I care for. To each their own…
Come fish with me and we will give both a try…
I will never use another type of indicator again!!!
Normands right , after tying a lot of diffrent ones out ther , thingamabobbers can not be beat.
I have tried many brands, but I always come back to the old favorite. I just use the red & white styrofoam floats with a slit in them and a plastic plug to hold the line. They do fly off occasionally, but not often enough for it to be a big problem + they are cheap. I am going to try Thingamabobbers, but I am wary of the kink.
Warren - That slinky line is a killer. I needed that.
raw69,
Thanks, I kinda liked it myself…: )
You’re in good company. Joe Humphreys and Doug Swisher also do without.
As for company, some of the best fisherman I know use strike indicators almost all the time when nymphing. I usually do, but some places lend themselves to fishing without one. Like most things in fly fishing, it kind of depends on a bunch of stuff what one’s preference might be for a given day on a given piece of water.
As to trout being scared off by indicators, I’ve never caught a trout that was scared off by the indicator I was using. As to using dry flies and hoppers for indicators, that is often a great way to go, but sometimes it just doesn’t cut it. Fishing deep runs on big rivers in the middle of winter with big stonefly nymphs requires something more than a dry fly - and why waste a big dry fly or a foam hopper when something more effective and less expensive is handy ??
As for kinks being caused in leaders by indicators, use a thread furled leader and a handshake type loop between the leader and indicator and you can’t get a kink if you want one. If you place the indicator high on the leader, an overhand knot is another easy way to attach it. As far as that goes, an overhand knot is okay on a mono leader, since the knot doesn’t close on itself, which is why overhand knots are usually a problem.
I’ve tried several different indicators and finally settled on one that I make at home. Probably costs about $.10 to make and takes less than five minutes to put together.
The materials are -
A little closer look -
Using the same material and technique, you can make one big enough to handle a couple large weighted stonefly nymphs on big water or small enough to fish an unweighted size 20 nymph on a small creek.
These may be air resistant, but not that I could ever tell. They can be adjusted up or down the leader very quickly and simply. They last for a loooooonnnnng time.
And did I mention - they are very cheap to make.
John
I love this quote!!
I’ve never used an indicator while fly fishing. I like watching my line, and that seems to work for me…for now. In faster or rougher waters, when drifting and when there might be some slack in the line, I can see how it would be useful. I kind of feel that using indicators is probably something I will eventually have to learn in order to broaden my fly-fishing knowledge…add another tool to my repertoire. When that time comes, its nice to know there are experienced anglers here who can help a guy “get his feet wet”.
I am all over the DRY for an indicator, but I also LOVE Thingamabobbers and the Pop Tops http://www.riverbum.com/Umpqua-Pop-Top-Indicators/
They are my favorite, because the stem at the top will stick straight up is you are suspended off the bottom, and lay to whatever side if you are dragging.
I use to use the small Styro balls and tooth picks till I found these.
They come quite small also.
I will on occasion us STRIKE PUTTY, if it is real windy, because it adds bulk to get the fly out, but still floats like a cork.
Never cared for the YARN as you have to add flotant to them, specially if you make them small enough to cut the wind.
For still water, I only use the slip styro egg indicators.
Indicators are a great way to detect hits, but I think I use them more to suspend a fly and put it in the zone.
If I know I am going to be dragging the bottom I don’t use any, but rather a tight line.
In slower slack water, spring creeks and shallow edgewater I almost always use a Schollmeyer Parasol Emerger as my indicator fly. If you’ve never used this its a blast and the fish will often take the suspended emerger.
I use it exclusively on slow spring creeks. I know this is a Warm Water Forum, but much of what we do transfers between venues and this method can get your bottom bug to the exact depth you want and all activity by fish is very detectable.
Good luck in your search.
I’m also with F.G. regarding the smallest “Thingamabobber” as they don’t disturb the surface at all when presented, yet even the most subtle bump is detected from a long way away.
Kelly.