The Perfect Indicator Fly

[mic]

I'm still looking for the perfect indicator. I came across an article that referenced the "indicator fly". The fly is not a specific fly but a small add on that I hadn't seen before (yes, I'm new to the game). Anyway, you thread the hook from the eye to the bend and then tie on a couple of inches of mono from the back forward on the opposite side of the hook. Then you fold the mono in half forming a small loop over the hook eye, and then tie the mono back to the bend on your side of the hook. Trim off the rest. Then you tie whatever you want on top of it. To use, you loop the leader through the mono loop, over the fly, and pull tight. You can then move the fly up and down as required without retying. I tied up a couple as a royal dry. Looks like it will work nice if the fly doesn’t slide up and down the leader.

Anyway, any recommendations on the best fly to tie over this setup. I’m thinking about bi-visible, the royal, a humpy. Any thoughts?

Tight Lines

MIC

[3wt]

I'm still looking for the perfect indicator. I came across an article that referenced the "indicator fly". The fly is not a specific fly but a small add on that I hadn't seen before (yes, I'm new to the game). Anyway, you thread the hook from the eye to the bend and then tie on a couple of inches of mono from the back forward on the opposite side of the hook. Then you fold the mono in half forming a small loop over the hook eye, and then tie the mono back to the bend on your side of the hook. Trim off the rest. Then you tie whatever you want on top of it. To use, you loop the leader through the mono loop, over the fly, and pull tight. You can then move the fly up and down as required without retying. I tied up a couple as a royal dry. Looks like it will work nice if the fly doesn’t slide up and down the leader.

Anyway, any recommendations on the best fly to tie over this setup. I’m thinking about bi-visible, the royal, a humpy. Any thoughts?

Tight Lines

MIC

Sounds like something I've been looking for for a while. I'd say you're on the right track on the styles of flies. For summer/fall add hopper patterns, and mabye Elk hair caddis in a few styles. Any thing that floats well and you can see well should work.

Do you have a link to pictures of how to tie one up?

[flyrodman]

I've seen a video on a style fly like that. It was called an indicator PMX. Usually I don't bother with an indicator fly because first it tangles and I usually catch more fish on the dropper. It would be useful during a big hatch where you put an emerger behind the indicator fly.

[flyrodman]

Here is a link.

[MaxDrown]

One of the nice things about that kind of rig is it may reduce the chance of spooking the fish. Maybe.

[3wt]

Here is a link.

Thanks for the clip. It all makes sense now.

This really may be the coolest idea for an indicator I've come across yet. And if you don't fish a double rig very often, you'll be suprised how many fish come up for a big dry you're using for an indicator (I usually call it the chicken fly because of it's size).

Back to the original question, I think it all depends on what you're hanging off the thing. With small shallow nymphs you might get away with the flies we already talked about, but for bigger or multiple nymphs I'd say this PMX is pretty impressive for a hopper/cicada/chicken that might get some attention. Or a stimulator or big stone of some type. Even if it's just there for an indicator and the fish don't pay attention it should still be way better than the bobber indicators.

[mic]

Thanks for the inputs. I ended up tying a royal trude, bi-visiable, and a stimulator. The stimulator might be the best fly I ever tied, regular or indicator. I'll give them a try and let you know how they worked.

Here are a couple of replies:

3wt:

This really may be the coolest idea for an indicator I've come across yet...I didn't tie the second loop so I wonder if it makes a difference.

I'd say this PMX is pretty impressive...I don't think I'm ready to tie a PMX yet, and I might try a couple of grasshopper flies.

Do you have a link to pictures of how to tie one up...Not yet; I tied them up at work on a break. No cameras allowed.

Flyrodman: Thanks for the post.

Usually I don't bother with an indicator fly because first it tangles and I usually catch more fish on the dropper... I would normally agree, but I've had so many indicators bumped in the broken water at Blue Springs Creek.

[flyrodman]

I might fish dropper rigs more often with this fly. The only thing I don't get is how to set the indicator up.

[mic]

I might fish dropper rigs more often with this fly. The only thing I don't get is how to set the indicator up.

Form a loop with leader. Push it through the mono loop on the fly. Take the loop over the fly and pull tight. Just like you would on a thing-a-bobber. If I understand your question right. I didn't get the loop in the back. I don't think it is required.

[Trout Commander]

Form a loop with leader. Push it through the mono loop on the fly. Take the loop over the fly and pull tight. Just like you would on a thing-a-bobber. If I understand your question right. I didn't get the loop in the back. I don't think it is required.

I believe the loop in the rear is to help prevent fouling. If you you run the tag, or second fly end of the leader/tippet through the loop it holds it up and in. I'm sure my explanation is clear as mud.