We all know about wool / yarn indicators (steelhead style) and thingamabobs but heres a new idea.

1. Take the spring out of a BIC lighter or find a spring about the same size as one.

2. Take foam piece and taper on one end.

3. Twist the foam into the spring inserting the tapered end first.

4. At the bottom of the spring below the foam wrap leadet / tippet in spring coils. (the bottom and top end of the spring will be coiled tighter than the mid section!)

Less wind resistance and slimmer profile, have fun. If anyone has any other alternatives to common strike indicators please share. I love those little Bast@#ds


sorry for photo quality but you get the idea

Made it to Section 4 then confused.
also...."Less wind resistance and slimmer profile" surely equals less buoyancy?

The best indicator that I have come accross, is a simple pice of fly line, bright green or orange, about 4 inches long, tied in line into the leader with nail knots. (any old line will work) It floats, can work well submerged, or suspended as in Czech nymphing. The second best for me, is a lenghth of about 12 inches of brightly coloured mono of 8 pounds, with three barrel knots about two inches apart near the middle. On the knots, place a drop of bright red UV fly paint. fluff balls are limiting, as they tend to only work when they float, and they cause line hinging when casting.

I find these are good.River and stillwater

__________________
Kevin

Yes, moray's are excellent......... come in a range of sizes and colours !

__________________
www.te-ff.org/
Trout Fisherman Magazine.
Hardy/Greys. Fulling Mill.

Why not just use a dry fly? It even increases your chances of a take

You tried Booby Cord, threaded onto your fly line, via the leader.

Simple but effective.

Best Regards

Stuart

added photo...


after step 4 your done, just wrap tippet in spring below where the foam tapered end stops in spring(way bottom of spring), cast and enjoy.

Thank you for the wonderful suggestion....never seen moray and just looked up booby cord. As far as 4 inch line I have issues with depth perception and dont see the line move. All great ideas, many thanks!

---------- Post added at 03:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ----------

It shouldnt work well, agreed! Its like fast food in roach infested slummy restaurants, it shouldn't tate good but it does, a mystery or not! see picture I put up....once again sorry for photo quality, us color foam you see the best

are you not defeating the purpose..adding wire which is heavy than water to begin with..then compensaiting the weight by inserting a piece of foam into it...there is no logic to that..beside there are a multitude of indicators on the market for those who don't fly fish per sa' but instead "float fish" with a fly line and fly rod/reel..

..if you Need an indicator to help you fish...then take up the art of "centre pinning"..you will be far more rewarded fishing this method then trying to change the art of "Fly Fishing".

__________________
A Wolf that stands Alone, has Great Wisdom.

Here's the deal, I use and indicator to control the depth of a fly, to for purpose of strike visuals. As far as I'm concerned, your definition of "fly fishing" is fun, I enjoy fishing dries and dragging nymphs along the bottom but heres the science...

Throw a dart through the air, then throw a hollow plastic ball or solid plastic ball , which has more velocity and less wind resistance.....the dart, of course.
The Spring is extemely light weight and so is the Foam. The art of "fly casting" is to have as little outside influence on a great cast and gentle turnover when fishing nyphms as to not spook trout, other fish prefer to have a fly slapped in front of them.... such as Snook.

While I respect you view point, try making what I said and drop it in a glass of water...see what happpens or dont.

That is the real art of "fly fishing" trying new things... If all it was was classic patterns and the same ol s#$% would you really be so vested in this lifestyle.

PS thanks for the challenge I love a good debate!

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:33 PM ----------

spring size is 1/8" width x 1/2'" long and whole indicator measures at 2" long