Comments on: Micro-Indicators http://fishfliesandwater.com/2009/01/10/micro-indicators/ Jason Borger's Fly-Fishing Blog Tue, 15 May 2012 12:20:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: JB http://fishfliesandwater.com/2009/01/10/micro-indicators/comment-page-1/#comment-52 JB Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:35:52 +0000 http://fishfliesandwater.com/?p=330#comment-52 Satoshi—I fished a place (several times, actually) where I watched fish spook hard from a size 20 midge pupa attached to 8X. Crazy! There was no drag in the traditional sense (it was a sand flat on a lake), and the fish spooked over and over from various flies that were floating, suspended, sinking, etc., all on 8X. It actually became an experiment after an hour, and was frustratingly fascinating (I did get a few to take eventually, and was wondering how much hook-flash was contributing to the cause). I guess that's the long way of saying that fish are weird at times, but if the Thingamabobber kills for you, go for it. If it doesn't, you may need to go micro (or whatever). As far as leaders, it sounds like you are getting the on-the-water confidence to build as you need, and keep it reasonably simple. That's a good place to be! When I do fast tippet connections with significant diameter drops, I typically use a three-turn Surgeon's (a.k.a. Water) Knot. It's really fast, can be tied accurately in bad light, pulls up easily, and has good strength. Actually, I think I'll do some posts in knots, maybe starting with that one, since it is so versatile... Satoshi—I fished a place (several times, actually) where I watched fish spook hard from a size 20 midge pupa attached to 8X. Crazy! There was no drag in the traditional sense (it was a sand flat on a lake), and the fish spooked over and over from various flies that were floating, suspended, sinking, etc., all on 8X. It actually became an experiment after an hour, and was frustratingly fascinating (I did get a few to take eventually, and was wondering how much hook-flash was contributing to the cause). I guess that’s the long way of saying that fish are weird at times, but if the Thingamabobber kills for you, go for it. If it doesn’t, you may need to go micro (or whatever).

As far as leaders, it sounds like you are getting the on-the-water confidence to build as you need, and keep it reasonably simple. That’s a good place to be! When I do fast tippet connections with significant diameter drops, I typically use a three-turn Surgeon’s (a.k.a. Water) Knot. It’s really fast, can be tied accurately in bad light, pulls up easily, and has good strength. Actually, I think I’ll do some posts in knots, maybe starting with that one, since it is so versatile…

]]> By: Satoshi Yamamoto http://fishfliesandwater.com/2009/01/10/micro-indicators/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Satoshi Yamamoto Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:07:48 +0000 http://fishfliesandwater.com/?p=330#comment-51 Jason, I like to use the greased leader when I use wet flies or emergers to fish and swing subsurface but the rest I think I like Thingamabobber. Sorry, not much technical but it didn't spook fish at Armstrong's. Responding to the last Technique up about the leader. I really like that you present the leader style for each fishing situation, rather than the weight or length of leader/tippet. I used to carry a chart in my vest but not any more. And in a good way, I don't have to carry the figure from your article. This article of yours gave me some confident of my approach to construct a leader at the water quickly. Say, my 6wt floating line has 0X tapered leader to fish Madison. With or without guides, I've been using this leader by adjusting tippet lenghth and sizes for nymphying, stripping streamers, or casting any size of dry flies. And it has been succesful (in my own level). Fig 2, 3, 6, & 7 [<a href="http://jasonborger.com/2008/12/21/some-leaders-for-trout/" rel="nofollow">referencing this post</a>-JB] can tell me my understanding is "not bad". I will test this at both Madison and Yellowstone in this April. Same goes for the leader for my 4wt. It is close to Fig 12. Then I will change this quickly for dry or nymph situation at Armstrong's this coming April. I just did not know that one can connect 1X and 4X directly. I thought I had to go through some length of 1X, 2X, 3X, then 4X. Same thing; 4X directly to 6X without 5X. This will help me a lot construct leaders much quicker. I've just done enough tying for this coming season so I will enjoy your updates to keep me awake from boredom or being buried among books. SY Jason,

I like to use the greased leader when I use wet flies or emergers to fish and swing subsurface but the rest I think I like Thingamabobber. Sorry, not much technical but it didn’t spook fish at Armstrong’s.

Responding to the last Technique up about the leader.
I really like that you present the leader style for each fishing situation, rather than the weight or length of leader/tippet. I used to carry a chart in my vest but not any more. And in a good way, I don’t have to carry the figure from your article. This article of yours gave me some confident of my approach to construct a leader at the water quickly. Say, my 6wt floating line has 0X tapered leader to fish Madison. With or without guides, I’ve been using this leader by adjusting tippet lenghth and sizes for nymphying, stripping streamers, or casting any size of dry flies. And it has been succesful (in my own level). Fig 2, 3, 6, & 7 [referencing this post-JB] can tell me my understanding is “not bad”. I will test this at both Madison and Yellowstone in this April.

Same goes for the leader for my 4wt. It is close to Fig 12. Then I will change this quickly for dry or nymph situation at Armstrong’s this coming April.

I just did not know that one can connect 1X and 4X directly. I thought I had to go through some length of 1X, 2X, 3X, then 4X. Same thing; 4X directly to 6X without 5X. This will help me a lot construct leaders much quicker.

I’ve just done enough tying for this coming season so I will enjoy your updates to keep me awake from boredom or being buried among books. SY

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