Indicator Position

[Flyflinger]

Ok..I have read several times that you need to position the indicator aprox. 2X/2.5X longer than the depth of the water. So if I am fishing 5ft of water..I need to have my indicator at 10ft???

What are your guys opinions on this...

[fishinwrench]

In my opinion the right distance to have a bobber from your fly, regardless of depth, isn't measured in inches it is measured in miles.

[Indiana Trout]

That is the idea, I think you want to tend towards 2.5X if you have more current. Less than 2 for slack or no current.

[Danoinark]

Ok..I have read several times that you need to position the indicator aprox. 2X/2.5X longer than the depth of the water. So if I am fishing 5ft of water..I need to have my indicator at 10ft???

What are your guys opinions on this...

I think you have to first determine what the fish are doing. If you see them midging in any dept of water I probably start my indicator 6 to 12 inches from the fly. If I am fishing 5 feet of water I am likely to start fishing a heavily weight streamer. An old sage fly fisher once told me to hold the fly in my fingers put the fly to my nose and stretch out my arm as far as it will go and that is where you attach the indicator. In my opinion you just need to adjust the indicator until you find the right depth.

[ness]

There are more variables in the equation than just water depth: current speed, amount of weight, length of drift, and how choppy the surface is. And how do you know if the water's 5 feet deep anyway?

I adjust it until it's ticking along the bottom.

[Trevor K]

I always struggle with this as well. I've always had trouble when I've gone down to Taney in the past and I think this is the exact reason why. Hopefully I'll change that next week though.

[Terry Beeson]

Dano is right in that you need to adjust your depth to where the fish take the fly. It's just like bobber fishing for Crappie or other species. Sometimes they are feeding on the bottom, sometimes in the middle, etc. The 2-2.5x rule is just a rule of thumb to give you an idea where to start to get the fly to the bottom.

The other problem with the indicator used for bottom fishing is that most drifts will vary (duh) in depth so how do you keep the fly on the bottom if the bottom goes from 3 ft to 6 ft to 2 ft to 5 ft in the span of 12-15 ft?

Spot on, Ness, about there being a plethora of inputs on indicator depths. Again, just like bobber fishing...

[ozark trout fisher]

I don't think there is any set number you can say is right. There are too many variables involved. Current speed, depth, whether or not you're using split shot and how much, whether the fish have their noses to the bottom or if they're willing to go after a fly higher in the water column.

Can I say one more unrelated thing as well? It seems the consensus these days that split shot is a necessary part of any nymph rig. But I only use it about half of the time. I prefer to allow the fly to sink on a long drift if I can. Of course I use split shot in fast water, but in the slower pools, I usually prefer to let the fly sink naturally and get a nice long drift. Forgoing split shot also allows you to fish out the swing if you want, and twitch the fly a few times in the current below you. It's surprising how often that'll draw a strike.

[Trout Commander]

If you use a couple split shot, not only can you position your indicator considerably lower, but your flies will also get to the desired depth quicker and stay there longer.

Also, I generally make a couple drifts right in close to me so I can watch and see how my rig is acting under the water, I have learned lots by doing this. If you try it just be sure and do it before the fish stack up at your feet if you are at Taney or someone might question your ethics .

[Danoinark]

just be sure and do it before the fish stack up at your feet if you are at Taney or someone might question your ethics .

Oh boy JDC...now you done gone and done it......