I have been using strike indicators for a number of years. Always effective and always fun. But I wonder, does using strike indicators on streams, rivers, and lakes every time I fish just using a crutch that I never needed? I just wonder if anyone else feels guilty for using tactics that make catching fish too easy?
It certainly can become a crutch…especially if it keeps you from exploring other tactics. You miss a lot of fish that way.
I’m trying to get away from depending on indicators. It’s not uncommon to find myself without one when I need it.
I use an intermediate line sometimes when fishing lakes and floaters without an indicator, but when the going gets tough, I grab a bobber.
In small streams or pocket water indicators will cause you to miss or scare fish. For bigger waters indicators help you fish farther away and have longer drifts even if your indicator is a dry fly w/ a nymph dropper
loufly,
I understand what you are going through. Last year at the FFF Conclave in Montana I took some casting lessons just to get me back in tune with casting the dry fly, since I do so much nymph fishing.
However, I do not feel guilty about using a strike indicator while nymphing or fishing Chronnies out on the lake. It is a very good way to fish and the results are usually rewarding. When the fish hit the surface bugs, then I switch to my dry fly rod, but otherwise I will be either nymphing or chucking streamers and enjoying it.
Larry 
—sagefisher—
Lou -
Sometimes catching fish is easy, but I don’t recall very many times when it was TOO easy ?!
I guess if it got so easy that I felt guilty, I would change tactics or go somewhere else.
John
Short answer: Nope
Long answer: When all my friends were hunting with 7 mm Mag bean field rifles with superior optic and shooting sub MOA groups, I hunted with a handgun. I also threw splinters or hunted with a bow. Many of us restrict our techniques to make things more challenging and there is a certain amount of satisfaction that can come from doing things the hard way. As long as you don’t expect others to only do it your way and you are doing it for your own satisfaction - cool. It’s all about “hobby” and you enjoyment of it. Do it any way that makes you happy.
loufly,
Early on in my second attempt at fly fishing I used a tiny foam bobber, which I suppose amounts to the same thing as a “strike indicator”. Although I did catch a few fish, before long I abandoned the little bobber due to the complications it caused when casting – I just didn’t like that double-tug sensation on my back casts. A personal preference: some people, it doesn’t bother them at all; me, it did.
My third, and current, try at fly fishing has lasted for a little over three years. During that time I haven’t used a strike indicator even once. I think it’s because I came to trust fly tackle. See, I grew up fishing for bass with spinning tackle, using plastic worms with a slow retrieve where I intently watched the line for that little tick of motion that indicated a pickup?
Well, for me fly fishing (especially with nymphs) is just like bass fishing with plastic worms and spinning tackle. Only fly fishing is 900 times better due to the fantastic “see-ability” of the pickups. If my nymph hasn’t yet settled to a depth that pulls the entire leader underwater, then when a fish hits I’m going to see my leader (which is floating on surface tension) twitch sharply at the instant of pickup.
And if the leader has been pulled underwater by the weight of the nymph by the time a fish hits, then I’ll see the floating line exhibit a tell-tale twitch. When only the floating line twitches it’s not as dramatic or sharp as when a floating leader twitches, but it’s loud enough that almost always I notice it.
In other words, the entire traditional system of fly fishing provides me with what I like most --an ultra-sensitive linear strike indicator. Once my nymph hits the water my leader and my floating line speak to me. They tell me about twigs, grass and algae the fly has encountered. The leader and floating line, they talk in a louder, clearer voice than any other system I’ve ever used.
Did I feel guilty, earlier, when using a foam ball strike indicator? No. As a fisherman, am I now absolved of guilt because I no longer use a strike indicator device? No. Still, I do feel guilty sometimes during those days when the action is so hot that Nymph fishing = Stealing.
Joe
“Better small than not at all.”
My guilt comes from the fact that I like using them. It may be a dry fly with a dropper off of it, but strike indicator all the same. One interesting thing I have noticed at my favorite place(a small lake) is that more and more fisherman are using indicators. More fisherman are anchoring up and fishing a likely spot with more care. Prior to that the majority would kick around the lake trolling a leech around behind them with some success. I have always picked the place apart one section at a time using my indicator as my guide. I won’t say that I am more successful, but I will say that I am more consistent. I have gotten a lot of confidence from fishing this way.
As Jason Borger would say, that is not an indicator that is a fly suspension device. Fishing over submerged vegetation, it can mean the difference between success and failure. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. There are many applications that a beginning fly angler would do well fishing with an indicator. When high sticking or short line / czech-polish nymphing you wouldn’t use an indicator.
to me its totally a crutch in every way…I dont use them…in alaska I never used them and I would catch huge bows every single time…to me its 1 step above using scent or bait and shows no confidence and/or the willingness to hone your skills to a higher level…it is for fisherman who are content on “catching” without all the work involved…this isnt to sound harsh in any way and 90% of all flyfisherman probably use them but your conscience has already spoken, dont fight it but step up your game and you will be rewarded…you will be a better flyfisherman overall
loufly,
Never had a mentor when I started fly fishing about 6-7 years ago. Was a worm drowner or other “bait” user for years. Subsequently, that practice of dragging “stuff” along the bottom, usually with some split shot weight in fast water, prepared me for nymphing without an indicator. Didn’t really even know what an “indicator” was when I started. Always watched the end of my line as stated by some of the folks previously on this thread. Tried using indicators several times and was told that I’d miss a lot of takes without them; but, prefer not to use them. All in your personal preference and what works for you. Have tried using a dry with a dropper; but, I’m so inept at casting that they usually tangle in short time and I just give up and go back to one fly and mostly dredging the bottom.
Sometimes I use indicators and sometimes I don’t. I’ve never felt a single pang of guilt when using them nor have I ever felt a sense of superiority when not using them.
Indicators are a tool used in fishing. To me feeling guilty about using an indicator is like feeling guilty about using a hith tech graphite rod and a reel with a high tech drag and high tech floating fly line.
Heck, even bamboo rods and silk lines were “high tech new fangled” things at one time.
Indicators / bobbers, they’re tools. Sometimes you need a big hammer, sometimes you need a smaller hammer, and sometimes you need a wrench. It all depends on the job being done at the time.
I just think we need to remember it isn’t about catching fish, it’s about fishing. To my thinking, as long as we remember why we love to fish (and that’s different for each one of us) what tools we use (assuming it’s legal) is of no concern.
Jeff
I don’t think guilt has any place in fishing unless you’re doing something unethical like wasting game or violating the law.
I wouldn’t let anyone else’s view of indicators dictate your tactics. Do what YOU enjoy doing.
You’ll know what that is - it’s the thing that when you do it the tension is eliminated from your mind.
I just rigged up three rods…one for chironomids and it has a bobber…errr I mean indicator on it…I felt so guilty I had to pour myself a toddy…things are smoothing out now…I’m over coming the guilt and feeling happier about the whole thing …didn’t they name an hour after happy:roll:
Re: Bobbers…My wife and I have been flyfishers for about six yrs now and except for one learning experience, neither of us have ever used bobbers (indicators). Not that we have any specific prejudice against them, but because we have never felt the need. We both started out bass fishing simply became “line watchers”. To us, the end of our flyline is our bobber-indicator and we catch our fair share of trout. Along this line, as interesting incident ocurred last year while fishing Taneycomo, in Missouri (our home waters).
Upon our arrival, we saw three anglers standing in one of our favorite spots (not anywhere near the hatchery) and from their demeanor and casting skills, it was apparent that they were experienced flyfishers. After about 30 minutes of catching very little, they started to leave and Mrs Crackleback asked if it was okay to move into their spot. One of the anglers chuckled at her, told her sure…there weren’t any fish in there anyhow. Mrs Crackleback moved into one spot that had been vacated and immediately began catching. In less than 30 minutes, the three of the anglers were watching from the shoreline, while one was taking photos of her. Within that 30 minutes, she had landed close to a dozen trout.
Naturally, the first thing that comes to mind is, that she must have been using worms or stink bait and one of the anglers made such a comment which we both overheard. Consequently, she walked out of the water, walked up and faced one of the anglers and showed him her fly…a very simply nymph. Then with a smile on her face, she told him,
that he just might want to get rid of that “damn” bobber" and went back to catsh some more.
Now THAT is funny! 
Ask yourself if you go fishing to catch a few fish and enjoy the outdoors or do you go fishing to gain the approval of others? I believe most people get into flyfishing because of the different challenge and eventually they expand on that to try other methods anyway, REGARDLESS of what someone else may think. Looking at it another way, whether or not you use a strike indicator, it still comes down to reading the water to find an active fish. If you can’t do that the strike indicator isn’t going to help anyway. It’s only a crutch if you never get any better, and I am sure you will agree that you are a better flyfisherman now than when you started.
Glenn
All the guides on the White & North Fork rivers set up their customers to fish with the indicator. People want to catch fish and that’s the easiest way to catch fish.
I won’t fish with one, they fish from a boat in high water or wade on low water and it dosen’t take any casting skill for customers new to fly fishing. The more fish they catch, the bigger the tip for the guides.
Some of the best fly fishermen in the world come to Arkansas to fish and they do what ever it takes to catch fish, so fish which ever way you like, but try new things because you can always learn by going new places.
If i’m teaching, I don’t use an indicator because I want the people to learn how to cast, if the fish are hitting dry flies and you can’t cast, what good is an indicator.