Casting with a strike indicator

gloszz · #1 04-21-2015, 02:30 PM

Can someone help me how I should cast with an indicator without getting all tangled up? I seem to do fine casting a great distance with streamers and even nymphs but as soon as that indicator is put on it's a mess.

abff · #2 04-21-2015, 02:37 PM

What type of indicator are you using?

Groundhogger · #3 04-21-2015, 02:39 PM

Heavy nymph rig? Single fly? Generally speaking, added wind resistance of an indicator requires that you slow your casting stroke down. Force yourself to give it the time it needs to straighten out behind you. If it's still giving me a little trouble (=large indicators like the large "Thingamabobber") I'll make my back cast slightly off to the side..then make the forward cast more upright/proper. If that makes sense.

Indicator rigs punish guys who love to false cast. Any wind added to the equation will have you polishing-up your macrame skills.

gloszz · #4 04-21-2015, 02:49 PM

Just a small one that looks like a thingamabobber. Not sure the actual model since a kind guy gave it to me on the river in Texas.

lambski · #5 04-21-2015, 03:27 PM

Phil Rowley indicators is what i use and i dont false cast much.

pikergolf · #6 04-21-2015, 03:31 PM

If you keep in mind you will loose some distance, and slow your stroke down you will be fine. Dropping the tip a little after the back cast and fore cast will help keep the line out of it's own way as well.

Ozzzzz · #7 04-21-2015, 06:38 PM

what works for me is to just open up your loop a little bit.

abff · #8 04-21-2015, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzzzz

what works for me is to just open up your loop a little bit.

X2

spinN'flyfish · #9 04-21-2015, 08:01 PM

i've got the same issue, but sometimes when using a yarn indicator gets wet alot and sinks. What would be the best indicator for a stillwater setting? I know yarn's dont work well for fast, big rivers

nick0danger · #10 04-21-2015, 08:37 PM

Best indi are plain corkers with the toothpick

kpfishngame · #11 04-22-2015, 08:26 AM

fish pimp strike indicators are my absolute favourite. very streamlined to make casting a bit easier than a piece of yarn attached, and extremely easy to use.

What everyone is suggesting is perfect to help cast the indicator rigs. Slow down the cast till the line straightens fully, and either open the loop a bit or do a sidearm backcast followed by a normal forward cast. The latter is the best way to cast indicator rigs in my opinion.

Good luck

FlyTheory · #12 04-22-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzzzz

what works for me is to just open up your loop a little bit.

3x

Xiph0id · #13 04-22-2015, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikergolf

If you keep in mind you will loose some distance, and slow your stroke down you will be fine. Dropping the tip a little after the back cast and fore cast will help keep the line out of it's own way as well.

This and don't false cast.

I'm a one and done kinda guy.

Just ask my wife...

Ozzzzz · #14 04-22-2015, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xiph0id

Just ask my wife...

I don't get it...

jgib01 · #15 04-22-2015, 03:32 PM

I have no problem creating open loops, cause that's my typical crappy casting style. Even still, I manage to get things in a mess from time to time, especially when I'm going for that long cast with a little wind about. I've come to terms with that, and have taken to just cutting the flies off to untangle the really bad ones; often saves time for me, as re-tying on a couple of flies is pretty quick. Besides, how can you possibly get any distance especially on stillwater without false casting a time or two?

rycoma · #16 04-22-2015, 04:48 PM

Keep everything in line. Corkies with the tooth picks are the best in my opinion because your line is in the centre. Tie on the nymph and tie your second or third right to the bend of the hook. If you tie fancy dropper loops and long tags all it will lead to is headaches. Slow your casting stroke way down and dont expect to bomb 100' casts.

Bjay · #17 04-23-2015, 08:58 AM

Put your strike indicator as close as possible to the end of the fly line,and it will cut down on the hinging effect caused by the strike indicator. On a 5 weight rod I use a very small indicator and small flies. If using large flies ( I never use 2 flies on a line, it's not neccesasry) I go to a 7 weight rod and little larger indicator. With a 7 weight rod you hardly know the indicator is there.
Columbia Old Guy

rycoma · #18 04-23-2015, 05:10 PM

Agreed on that comment 100% ^^^^^. I use my 3wt for fairly large flies and indicators works well

BigSky · #19 04-23-2015, 11:00 PM

a belgian cast will help with heavy flies and indicator rigs

Luxor · #20 04-24-2015, 12:20 AM

Fly casting is not much different than spin casting.
The most important thing is to know your gear and feel the weight.
Good casting really is an extension of your body.
Sounds like Zen advice because it really is just that.

So when you've added a bobber....you've added weight. But not at the tip.
Now you have to adjust.

Do some practice casting to help feel it.

zabbo · #21 04-24-2015, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzzzz

I don't get it...

Gotta think inside the box! Hahahahaha

Garlicmarshmellow · #22 04-24-2015, 04:07 PM

Learn to roll cast, false casting causes tangles. Watch your line when it hits the water. If your using a two fly method with a split shot and you don't see threee dimples at the end of your cast away from your indicator, check your rig before you cast again.

lannie · #23 04-26-2015, 09:55 PM

Use a very short piece of bright yarn that has the smallest amount of parasitic drag in the air. You need very little for a quality strike indicator and the old adage "less is more" rings very true here.

Putting split shot on line cast from a fly rod is just wrong and if all the crap on your fly line gets hard to cast it is time to consider spinning gear with a bobber and a chunk of lead.

jgib01 · #24 04-28-2015, 03:55 PM

Bad example of casting nymphs for me on the weekend... first time and hopefully the last time for for this experience. False casting to get out to where some fish were showing their backs, with a swirling wind on my right side... one false cast... not far enough... go for the second... and WHAM! First nymph hits my hat with a smack, and the second quickly follows on the base of my ear. Dazed and confused, I reach up to feel the stinging wound and my finger finds the size 16 prince buried to the bend of the hook in the soft flesh just above the lobe of my right ear. Thank the fishing gods for debarbed hooks. New dunce cap on order...

Luxor · #25 04-28-2015, 04:03 PM

As previous posts stated.
Your best bet is to roll cast.
Yarn indicator is also good.
And add a touch of Zen lol

Calgaryguy1977 · #26 04-30-2015, 06:36 AM

Roll casting is also your friend. Especially if you're using a heavier fly with a lighter rod.

Badflies · #27 05-06-2015, 06:29 PM

The gentleman in this video has a very straightforward approach and a great instructional method as well. Lots of good tips for mending while nymphing as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m0QbVTWhtw

scel · #28 05-07-2015, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badflies

The gentleman in this video has a very straightforward approach and a great instructional method as well. Lots of good tips for mending while nymphing as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m0QbVTWhtw

LOL. In the fly fishing world, being 'hanked' is equivalent to being 'rick-rolled'.

Bron · #29 05-12-2015, 09:18 AM

Pick up a fly line that's designed for roll casting. There will be no back cast to tangle, and it unrolls nice and straight every time. There are not too many situations where you need to be casting further than 30 feet. If you can get a perfect dead drift in most situations with casts longer than that, you're a better man than I.

cooper · #30 05-26-2015, 09:38 AM

Open up your loop and cast maybe 30 ft.