Stillwater fly fishing for trout is definitely different than fishing streams and rivers. River and stream anglers after trout and other species most often allow the current to dictate fly presentation.
Stillwater fly fishing requires that the angler control the presentation due to a lack of current. A cast and strip presentation is definitely the most often employed method for fly fishing stillwater trout lakes. Sometimes, however, it's best to let the fly hang suspended at a given depth. The use of a strike indicator is the best way to control this type of presentation.
The Basics
Fly fishing with a strike indicator is a fairly simple technique that involves the use of a strike indicator -- float -- placed above the fly on the leader. The purpose of the indicator is two-fold, first to suspend the fly within the water column at a constant depth and second, as the name implies, to aid the angler in detecting strikes. The technique is somewhat like using a float with conventional fishing tackle. The main difference between the two is that a fly angler's strike indicator must be light enough to cast with the fly line.
Materials used to make indicators run the gamut from common yarns to injection molded plastic bubbles. Though they vary greatly in appearance their main purpose is the same, to float the angler's fly at a constant depth.
Rigging a Strike Indicator
The rigging of a strike indicator varies depending on the type. The most common types are loop, twist-on, stick-on, peg and slide attachment. The loop attachment is used with yarn and molded plastic bubble indicators. To make this attachment fold the leader, making a loop, at a point where the indicator is intended to rest in its final position. Thread the loop through the attachment point and bring it over the indicator until it makes contact with the leader. Pull the slack from the loop and reposition as desired.
Twist-on indicators are most often made of two interlocking pieces of cork or molded closed-cell plastic foam held together with a small section of rubber band. To attach a twist-on indicator, place the leader into the slot in the side of the indicator. Spread the sections apart, twist 3-4 full turns and release the sections. The twists in the rubber band hold tightly to the leader.
Stick-on indicators are simple to use but not quite as durable as other types. Made of soft, closed-cell foam they come packaged on a sheet that looks like a group of neon-colored "8"s. To apply one to your leader just lift it off the sheet and fold it onto the leader at the desired position. The self-adhesive back holds the indicator in place.
All the above indicators are simple and convenient to use. Because of their designs they can be added or removed without removing the fly or cutting and retying the leader. The loop and twist-on types can be reused as many times as desired. Stick-on indicators are one-time use only.
The peg and slide attachment indicators both require that the leader be passed through the indicator, making them slightly less convenient for the angler who changes flies and techniques frequently. To attach a peg indicator, pass the leader through the indicator and slide the keeper peg through from the fly side. The force exerted during casting holds the indicator firmly against the peg.
The slide indicator is a specialty strike indicator in that it is employed in a rise and fall technique of fly presentation (to be explained later). Before making the attachment, tie a knot in the leader equivalent to the desired depth of the fly. Thread the leader through the eye on the indicator. Tie another knot in the leader 2-3 feet below the indicator. Attach the fly to the end of your leader and the rig is ready to fish.
Fishing Techniques
There are four basic techniques, along with a plethora of variations, that can be employed using a strike indicator in stillwater fly fishing. The cast and sit, drift, lift and fall and slide techniques can all be very productive at certain times.
The cast and sit technique is exactly what it sounds like. Most often employed with midge larvae and pupae imitations, the fly is allowed to hang motionless under the indicator. This mimics the behavior of early season midges that lift from the bottom of lakes and suspend while collecting oxygen that is not present in the silt or mud substrate. When using this technique it is most often desirable that the indicator and fly not move about the surface of the lake.
The cast and drift technique exploits surface movement caused by wind to slowly move the indicator and fly across a promising area of a lake. This technique is another used to mimic the behavior of midges. As water temperatures rise in early season midge larvae and pupae often relocate by swimming slowly at a constant depth. The wave action associated with the wind movement also imparts a minute action to the fly that can't be achieved by any other technique. Scud imitations can also be very successfully used with this technique. When the wind is higher (10-15 mph) the added wave action and speed of movement is a near perfect match for frequent scud behavior.
The lift and fall technique can be used to imitate the action and behavior of mayfly nymphs and caddis pupae. To employ this technique, cast the fly and indicator then allow it to sit for up to 2 minutes. Slowly lift the rod moving the indicator across the surface 2-3 feet. This movement results in the fly lifting in the water column due to drag caused by the leader. When substantial wave action is present the fly will perform a pulsating dance during the lift and subsequent fall. Most strikes occur during the lift but be prepared for a take at any time. Used in combination with the above techniques the lift and fall can be employed to mimic midges, scuds, mayfly nymphs and caddis pupae.
Any of the above techniques can be executed using any type of indicator. The slide technique, however, can only be executed with an indicator that allows the leader to slide through the eye of the indicator giving a lift and fall action with very little lateral movement. Rig the leader, indicator and fly as described above. Cast the rig onto the lake and feed the leader through the eye of the indicator by mending the fly line toward the indicator. After there has been ample time for the fly to sink completely slowly lift the rod as with the lift and fall. The difference here is that the fly will move upward with very little movement of the indicator.
The slide technique of strike indicator fishing can be successfully employed with any of the aforementioned groups of flies. The biggest advantage to this technique over the others is that the angler can impart a good amount of action to the fly without moving it out of a target area.
There are two concerns that bear special note with slide indicator fishing. First is that the weighting of the fly in this technique is critical. Too much weight on the leader below the indicator will prohibit lift and cause more lateral movement of the indicator. Too little weight on the leader and it will not slide through the eye of the indicator thus not allowing the fly to sink properly. Second is the size of the indicator should be bigger than necessary for other indicator techniques. The larger size will create more drag between the water and indicator allowing more movement of the fly.
Leader Considerations
When fly fishing with a strike indicator the leader plays an important role in hook-ups and landed fish. Furled or twisted leaders can be beneficial for casting smoothness in many situations but detrimental when indicator fishing. The inherent stretch of such leaders causes the leader to un-twist and re-twist during casting due to the powerful casting employed and the drag created by indicator. This often results in the fly or flies fouling during the cast.
The stretch of a furled or twisted leader also results in a lower hook-up percentage. Because the fly is suspended at a 90-degree angle to the line resting on the water's surface the hook-set is not directly inline. Use a monofilament leader (tapered or knotted) when indicator fishing. At the first sign of a take, strike hard and strike fast.
Coiling can also be very detrimental to successful hook-sets. Straighten the leader before fishing by pulling the entire length through wet finger tips or a leader straightener. By using a straight leader you will be able to detect strikes better and make more solid hook-sets.
Other Considerations
Strike indicators need not be big and bulky in most cases. Use an indicator that is just big enough to easily float the fly and weight it is intended to support. This will make it easier to cast and easier to detect strikes.
Many anglers, especially river anglers, often use large floating flies as a strike indicator. However in lakes with substantial weed growth the fly can catch in the weeds resulting in many lost fish and flies. The design of most strike indicators helps to minimize the snagging of underwater objects.
Multiple flies can be used under the same indicator. It is not un common to find anglers using as many as three flies suspended below and indicator. This practice allows the angler to fish a wider depth range and present multiple fly types on each cast. Be sure and check the regulations governing the water being fished to ensure compliance with restrictions on the number of hooks used on a single line.
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