Reluctant To Use Indicators, But If I Must....

[Trout Newb]

Is fishing with a strike indicator the prime way to fish at Bennett? I'm brand new to fly fishing, and I've kind of resisted using an indicator thus far. All of the people I see hammering the fish at Bennett are using indicators though and I've never been able to tell what flies they're using. Any clue what the people that are having such good luck are using?

I was there this past Sunday and just barely avoided being skunked! I've had good luck with a variety of things at Roaring River, but I can't seem to figure Bennett out.

[TroutRinger]

They could be using a lot of things but glo balls are pretty common there. I've only made it there a few times in the last couple years but have the most success fishing green bead head wooly bugger's without an indicator. Just about everyone I've talked to says the key is to get down deep above the spillway. They keep telling me to using sinking line, but I am always hesitant to break that out (I just don't like fishing with it hence the bead head).

What I usually do is let the fly sink for several seconds, then strip it back a few times, then let it sink again for a second or two, and repeat. So often, when I begin the retrieve again, there is either a fish on or one hits it. I think they pick it up on the in-between falls. Usually can stand next to or upstream from the spillway (not a fan of standing on it) all day doing that and consistently catch fish.

[mhall02]

I use an indicator with scuds, but not with wolley buggers. I have good luck with olive wooley, cast out and slowly stip back. Many ways to fish it, you can also use cracklebacks w/o an indicator. As mentioned above, glow balls under an indicator seems to be successful for many.

[TroutRinger]

I use an indicator with scuds, but not with wolley buggers. I have good luck with olive wooley, cast out and slowly stip back. Many ways to fish it, you can also use cracklebacks w/o an indicator. As mentioned above, glow balls under an indicator seems to be successful for many.

I actually meant olive as well. I tend to generalize colors. Sounds like we have a pretty similar style. Do you use sinking line, bead head, split shots, or go weightless? The only time I go weightless if I can see a good number of fish near the surface.

[ness]

I wouldn't shy away from indicators there, but it kinda depends on what you're doing too. They're perfectly fine if you're fishing a nymph or a leech there. Or, you can tie on a dry fly, then tie a piece of tippet to bend of the hook and hang a small nymph below. Using a pretty fine tippet helps -- 5, 6 or even 7x. Adjust the depth as needed (not as easy with the dry fly) and try to get a natural drift.

There are about as many techniques as there are fishermen in the parks. I routinely see guys do something I wouldn't and then catch a fish. But what I described there will work outside the parks too.

[mic]

Is fishing with a strike indicator the prime way to fish at Bennett? I'm brand new to fly fishing, and I've kind of resisted using an indicator thus far. All of the people I see hammering the fish at Bennett are using indicators though and I've never been able to tell what flies they're using. Any clue what the people that are having such good luck are using?

I was there this past Sunday and just barely avoided being skunked! I've had good luck with a variety of things at Roaring River, but I can't seem to figure Bennett out.

I was right were you were last year. I switched to a furled indicator leader, and now I get the best of both worlds. You just have to grease it every now and then, and it works well on all but the heavy flys.

http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=display&target=GC015

[Trout Newb]

Thank you guys for the follow up. I had wondered if fishing with a dropper fly was legit in the trout parks, but sounds like it is.

I'll have to break down and try some of the glo balls under an indicator, and be patient to get the fly down deep in areas. Standing on the spillway looks like a bad idea for me. I have a healthy respect for how clumsy I can be and that looks like a good way to become a youtube sensation.

[mhall02]

I actually meant olive as well. I tend to generalize colors. Sounds like we have a pretty similar style. Do you use sinking line, bead head, split shots, or go weightless? The only time I go weightless if I can see a good number of fish near the surface.

I ususally wrap the hook with lead before I time them up. If the water is up I'll even add a little shot to it. 4wt double taper floating line with a 7.5' 4 wt St. Croix rod, lots of fun!!

[NoLuck]

I use an indicator pretty much for all my dead drift fishing. I try to use the bare minimum floatation though. If you use too big of an indicator you are probably missing hits. I use the small stick on Palsa floats. The only drawback to them is once stuck they don't move easily. Fishing with an indicator also causes a few things you need to deal with. Getting your fly down quickly and mending to keep it there is key. But learning to identify how fish are taking the bug will catch you more fish. Pay attention to what was going on when you are getting strikes. Lots of times I get hits as I am just starting to pick up the line for the next cast. That should tell you that the fish are hitting rising bugs. Adjust your technique to fish that way and you will catch a lot more fish.

I guess if you are fishing the typical Bennett store "flys" indicator fishing is almost a must. Find the depth they want and use 6 or 7x tippet in flourocarbon and you will catch fish consistently.

[flyrodman]

I indicator fish with everything but streamers. Have not tried Glo bugs at Bennett but have had great success with them in the C&R area at Roaring River.