Indicators

[MikeA]

Every year a new indicator shows up and is supposed to be better then yarn, like these things http://www.fishwest.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=flyshop&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=WW33TBSI0755.
Usually the next year they aren't anywhere to be found... Why are folks always trying to replace something that IMO can't be beat. Whats so hard about yarn? Get some Mcfly foam spray it with 3M scotch guard or silicon spray and let it dry. For $3 and some change you've got two years worth of indicators that can be any size you want. 

What do you guys use? 

[Steve H]

McFly is what I use mostly or some other type of yarn. just too easy to have that movable loop. In the past, I tried "twist-on" indicators but they tend to move too much and are a pain the arse if the rubberband gets hanked up.

[dbradyh]

Never gotten into fishing with indicators, but the yarn system seems to be the most logical set up. How does the movable loop work?

[Gofisher]

I use the "hot Sauce" yarn indicators as a rule. If I plan to change depths alot, I will sometimes use small oval indicators I have sprayed with florescent paint and peg them with a piece of toothpick. Small streams I use a dry fly.

[Travis C.]

Can you use any type of yarn with the silicon spray? I usually just pick my indicator material down at Fly South. It is in a small ziplock bag with half bright/half brown and I am not sure what kind it is. I do like it better than the stick on buttons and slide foam floats.

[Gofisher]

Can you use any type of yarn with the silicon spray? I usually just pick my indicator material down at Fly South. It is in a small ziplock bag with half bright/half brown and I am not sure what kind it is. I do like it better than the stick on buttons and slide foam floats.

That is the JT's Hot sauce yarn indicator.

[jarrod white]

That is the JT's Hot sauce yarn indicator.
[/quote]
AKA McFly foam

[grumpy]

Lefty Kreh Yarn.

Grumpy

[Gofisher]

That is the JT's Hot sauce yarn indicator.

AKA McFly foam
[/quote]

Quit grinnin' at me...

[Looper Flies]

I'm with Grumpy on the Lefty Kreh Super Secret Indicator Yarn.  I have yet to find anything better.

[adamtn]

I've always used yarn. I've bought several kinds. Some  float  like a cork all day. others float like a sponge. Yarn is the best for sensitivity but it freezes out here in the winter.

I've been using the new 'thingamabobbers' through the winter. The smallest ones will float a double tungsten nymph rig and 1-2 BB split shot. They are fairly sensitve and won't go under unless you are hung on the bottom or have a fish on. They cast pretty well compared to yarn. One complaint is that they tend to slide on the leader sometimes. I really like these. I don't know if they are availlable around TN but if you see them in a shop give them a try.

[ALflygirl]

I like the Loon Bio-strike.  It's like Play-doh! You just have to use a little and it molds to your line, but it doesn't leave any residue when you take it off your line. 

[Rockyraccoon]

I'm one of the odd balls I suppose.

I don't think there is one perfect indicator for every situation. I think they all have their pros and cons depending on what kind of indicating you want them to do.

Yarn is for sure the most delicate landing, and bite sensitive. It will work well over spooky fish. However, adjustability (after clients have been fishing it), and ability to float heavy loads in rough water are it's faults.

Palsas are perfect for quick applications, work fairly well for light landings and will also float a fair load with the use of additional palsas. They however are very poor in the adjustability department.

Frog hair footballs. Excellent floating qualities for heavy loads, excellent adjustability, and are sensitive enough for light applications even in the larger sizes. Bad news, they are not the best for spooky fish and light landings. They are also single use, and as a guide....that's big money down the drain for me. One last thing, they really need to be applied to a fresh leader before any other rigging has occurred.

Lightning strike and similar toothpick pegged indicators. These work very well in floating heavy loads, and are easy to adjust and stay put very well. They hold a lot of the same qualities as the frog hair indies, and the cons are similar as well. They are however reusable and that's nice.

Anyway, there are tons of others.....but my opinion is the same.......still no perfect indicator for all situations......but there is a perfect indicator for each different situation. YMMV.

[countryflyfisher]

I m in the boat with Rocky on this one I carry yarn and balls balls for heavy water and wind and yarn for everything else. My favorite indicator is actually a black foam Cricket or a Cheronobl ant 

[MikeA]

Good point Rocky I also like the lightning strikes for boat fishing clients over changing bottom depths. However for myself I'll move yarn up and down. Bad casting won't allow you to do that for long though. Come to think of it, bad casting and lightning strikes don't go over too well either.