Losing the indicator

[ness]

Seems like I hear this talked about more and more, but I’m still using indicators. I guess I ought to get side by side with somebody and see how it works.

For midges in slack water I’ll do a dry/dry—one I can see and one that they want. 

[tjm]

What, nobody shadow casts?

I guess my technique is down and across, wet fly action, even if I cast upstream or in a pond; I just seem to get more strikes if the worm/fly moves a bit in relation to the water and if the line is in hand I can detect most even strikes in the dark. That doesn't keep me from missing a large percentage of the mouth and spit fish.   Tuesday at RR I probably missed 10-15 trout for every one I landed.  I agree that many of those spitters don't even disturb the indicator, although when one  does pull the bobber down it is likely to hook up.  Fish in moving water often mouth objects that resemble food then spit what feels or tastes wrong, or so I read once. I know I've tossed small grub looking stones into clear streams numerous times and seen suckers and trout grab and spit remarkably quick. 

When fishing tiny wet flies/nymphs/midges in still water, I still like to grease the leader to about a foot from the fly and use some kind of retrieve, just enough that some motion is detectable. Ever notice an improvement when the wind stirs the water surface? I try to mimic that small movement with with rod and/or line movement. 

I do kinda admire the guys/gals that can cast those bobber-sinker-jig-fly combos and not have it all hit them in the head or tangle into a nest. Maybe if I could cast better, I'd learn how to use "indicators"?

[FishnDave]

Not so much for trout, but flyfishing with an indicator about 18" above a 1/80th oz microjig has caught me a LOT of crappies, bluegills, pumpkinseeds, and a surprising number of bass...even ones 20" and over... from local public city ponds.  Its a great bass technique especially when the water is below 55 degrees.  I've even caught some carp that way.  I didn't want to fish that way, until a flyfishing buddy started outfishing me with that technique.  Just depends on where you are fishing and what you are fishing for.