I know this is a touchy subject between some people on here but I would like to know if the guys who do use indicators, have tried using a Floating putty or similar instead of physical indicators on hooks?

I know a lot of river fly anglers (coarse anglers too) who use tungsten putty for additional weight when needed which works great to an extent (not legal in competitions obviously).

It's simply a question as I'm curious, so if you could refrain from starting a 'cult' on this thread on bung fishers that would be much appreciated.

Kieron

__________________


Fly Fishing Tackle suppliers, Fishtec.

Websites: Fishtec | Airflo Fishing

I tried it, briefly, a few years ago on the Taff ... you may well have been there Kieron (?) ... a freezing cold January day at Taffs Wells when there was a little lad who was wading in jeans?

Anyway, Stef' Jones had some and I tried it. I wasn't overly impressed by its floatability but it was good that you could mold a small amount around a knot and produce a very effective 'sighter', and have something not so bulky as many 'indicators' are.

Something I use is a tape produced by Tiemco that simply rolls onto the leader. I've not seen it advertised for a long while, the last time I found any was in Bled, Slovenia. It used to come on a roll holder with a little serated edge cutter. I think Tiemco do something similar now with pre-cut sections on litle sheets.

__________________
[I]"I still don't know why I fish or why other men fish, except that we like it and it makes us think and feel."[/I] Roderick L Haig-Brown

[url]www.wildfly.net[/url]

[url]http://www.gameanglinginstructors.co.uk/[/url]

I've used the Airflow floating mouldable putty as a bite indicator. It stiffens on contact with water but can be easily moulded into any shape with simple finger pressure or by moulding a small piece on a fly, you can turn a fly into an instant suspender or booby pattern!

I like the idea of the tape, I haven't seen that but will do some research into it. I guess its movable up and down the leader too which is a bonus.

Kieron

---------- Post added at 11:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:53 AM ----------

Lol - No link?

__________________


Fly Fishing Tackle suppliers, Fishtec.

Websites: Fishtec | Airflo Fishing

I have a tub of this:



I'm mostly relying on a length of this, braided loops at either end and greased up:





but if I find that it's being pulled under by the heavier nymphs, I squeeze a blob of putty onto it.

Hi Steve,

I guess that's braid?

Could you rub the putty into the braid (along the length of it) to aid float-ability? If it was laying flat on the water..

Kieron

__________________


Fly Fishing Tackle suppliers, Fishtec.

Websites: Fishtec | Airflo Fishing

I used this stuff a long time ago Float-Do Strike Indicator Putty - Fly Fishing | eBay

What did you think of it tatts? I guess pretty much all types are the same as each other.

K'

__________________


Fly Fishing Tackle suppliers, Fishtec.

Websites: Fishtec | Airflo Fishing

tried it and didnt like it, adds too much weight (if trying to suspend a biggish fly or multiple buzzers) and creates a hinging point on the leader, may well be fine for small nymphs/flies

You could, yes, though the putty hardens in cold water, which might make the braid unacceptably stiff.