Indicator Nymphing Tip...

[Mark Patenaude]

I started thinking that I should post this tip, that I use and have encouraged others to do the same.

When indicator nymphing I like to use the foam/pinch on indicators that are about 3/8" in diameter.

I like to place one indicator at the desired position on the leader and put one more right next to it on the high side. Then I place one additional indicator about 8-12" from the 2nd one's position.

By doing this, the two indicator next to each other create alot of surface tension on the water's surface to better track the drift. The third indicator, being separate from the other two allow you to track the leader for mending puposes and when you flip the leader to mend, the 3rd indicator also sticks pretty well but because of the greater surface tension where the other two are, it doesn't disturb them, creating a nice drag "as free as possible" drift.

I hope I explained this well enough for everyone to understand.

I noticed Lance Egan using this setup once but he had all 3 separated by about 6-8". I won't take credit for the overall concept, only for the modified setup. It works nicely and effectively...

If anyone doesn't understand what I wrote email me or post another message and I'll try again.

Mark

[hunterfly]

Nice idea, I'll have to give it a try. Thanks!

[Mark Patenaude]

I probably should have added that it works very well when drifting large/weighted nymphs like brown and black stones as well as Buggers.

Mark

[bartman]

Interesting, thanks for the tip.

I was flipping through the latest Orvis newsletter the other day and noticed an article on hinged-leader nymphing by John Malone. Basically your leader is looped (4 times) where your knots normally are. The hinge effect gets your fly down into the zone a keeps it there longer.

I never tried it. Anybody familiar with it?

[flyfishgb]

Haha funny you do that too mark. when i was reading this i was laughing because 1.) those are the only indicaters i will use, 2.) In lower or slower water i'll fish a single indicator, and in higher water or faster area, i'll fish two or three .... with the third like a foot away....

good nuts mark.

[Mark Patenaude]

With regard to hinging the line to fish the fly at a 90 degree angle down from the indicator.

The easiest way that I've found to do it with cutting and retying a bunch of knots to make the angle is to tie a surgeon's loop at the point where you want to place the indicator and once the loop is in place, splay the two sections of the line to make them roughly 90 degrees from each other and attach the indicator to the loop. Remember to keep the loop on the small side.

Mark


Flyfishgb: I'm glad you like my nuts!!!