Strike indicator

[splash2]

I saw a thread about making your own bite indicators here a while ago but I can't find it now. Anybody know how to find it?

[sweeperdriver]

If it helps, I use those yellow foam ear plugs, you get them in chemists ever so cheap. Just push a pin through them, slide up the leader and onto the fly line and away you go. If they come loose, add a tiny drop of superglue and fix them at the very top of your leader.

Rich

[tweed]

Splash, i dress an old lightweight hook with 3 or 4 long chartruese cdc feathers. I cut each individual feather into 3 or 4 lengths then strip away flue at bottom of stalk and tie them on two at a time round the hook just back from the eye , whip finish and varnish. Then take a pair of pliers and nip off the excess hook ie from the bend leaving a small amount of the shank . Tie the hook eye straight onto your braided loop. You can cut them to be as big as you like for different purposes and they will run through your rod rings easily when playing a fish. Good luck.

Tweed

[Dougie]

Depends on what flies you are fishing. Saw Tweeds CDC indicators and they look ideal for suspending a small nymph but you'll need something much more bouyant if you're suspending 3 buzzers for example. I use a chunk of egg yarn tied on a hook and soaked with a waterproofing spray - connected NZ style.

Dougie

[splash2]

I just tried searching the forum again with no joy. I'm sure the thread I saw had photos showing how to make 'em from biro tubes & CDC fibres - ring any bells?

[Midge]

Hi spash2

Take a look at this one.

globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/indicators/

Hope it helps

Midge

[splash2]

midge2 said:

Hi spash2

Take a look at this one.

globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/indicators/

Hope it helps

Midge

Thanks Midge. Bookmarked that one

[Hambo]

I've made the ones Midge posted the link to.
They do float well, but have a couple of drawbacks in my opinion, particularly on rivers.

1. On light leaders, the leaders bite into the rubber rings and can be a pain to release or move up or down the leader.
2. They hold the leader close to the surface, creating an obvious line wake.

They are better fished on droppers to allow the leader to sink a few inches.

Egg yarn is OK, but does not float as well as polypropylene yarn like the Strike String from Snowbee.
Now if I could find a supplier of the polyprop yarn in wool ball size instead of 30cm at a time I'd be very happy.

[Countryboy]

Have a look on eBay.

There are two or three different sorts available.

I use fish pimps and they're fine, never sink and cast well

C.B

[stevet]

I also use pimps! Not much else holds up a team of three epoxy buzzers, even then the pimp can sit quite low in the water, which in some senses is good as it means the more sensitive takes are seen too.

They do have a tendency to fly off in a vigorous cast though. I get through a pimp every couple of sessions on average. Also they can be fiddly to apply to the leader for the caq handed like myself...im not very dextrous!

[billybass]

Just ordered some pimps, how are they applied? I normally use a bung (home made with foam and hook), but i want to stop that as the fly limit in my comps is three, and i want three buzzers instead of two and a bung.

[Dougie]

A good way of avoiding the flying pimps (sure i've got that on VHS somewhere! ;D) is to thread your leader through the silicone tubing and secure with a small piece of cocktail stick - won't budge

Must admit though, I've moved onto the egg yarn soaked with Nikwax Tent proof - hold up a cast of superglue buzzers no probs.

Dougie

[bigfisher]

i use the pimps too ! to stop them flying off i connect it to the braided loop , its never come off yet ! ;D

[billybass]

How do you attach the egg yarn to your line dougie? Half hitch?

[Dougie]

billybass said:

How do you attach the egg yarn to your line dougie? Half hitch?

Billy, my style is to tie the yarn as a fly so would not suit you as you intend to fish 3 flies although i'm sure a half hitch would be fine.

Dougie