Dry-fly Indicators. To use a buoyant dry fly as an indicator, tie it to the end of the tapered leader, tie tippet material to the bend or eye of the dry fly, and then tie a small nymph, emerger, or dry fly to the end of the tippet. Variations of this basic formula are endless. The tippet can range from five inches to five feet long. The dry fly can vary in size from #22 parachute to a #4 Royal Wulff. Just make sure the indicator dry fly can support the nymph. Large dry flies can support moderately weighted nymphs. Obviously, this isn't a deep-water technique, but it works well in depths to five feet. Anglers with poor eyesight can use large dry-fly indicators to help them fish tiny (#18 and smaller) dry flies. Just watch the bigger bug and set the hook if it goes under, or a fish rises near the indicator fly.