Tying Yarn Indicators

[davkrat]

Don't know if this has been posted on here before. A couple years ago I saw on the Global Flyfisher site how to make your own indicators. You can customize the size and color and if your like me and are an hour or more from the nearest fly shop it’s nice to be able to whip up your own. I’ve found the smallest O-rings available in hardware stores to work great. The length of the yarn doesn’t seem to matter as much as the bulk, I basically try to get to the point that it almost won’t fit in the O-ring. Pretty self explanatory, I like to use the red and chartreuse in the center for visibility in sun and shade and then the olive green is what the fish will see. I keep a hair comb in my vest, comb them out and add some floatant and go fish

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z388/davkrat/Fly%20Fishing/Flies-6857.jpg

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http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z388/davkrat/Fly%20Fishing/Flies-6861.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z388/davkrat/Fly%20Fishing/Flies-6863.jpg

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[B Kane]

Except for very small indicators I've pretty much switched over to thingamabobbers for most of my fishing. For deep lake applications, 12 to 25 feet, I use a corkie type with a releasing stopper. Thingamabobbers are lighter and no maintenance required(combing and dressing).

[Hairstacker]

davkrat, that was extremely well done, thank you for taking the time and effort! Is that the same yarn you would use to tie up salmon egg imitations?

[davkrat]

Thanks. Yep Chartreuse and Olive egg yarn and then the red is called Float-Viz. It stands up a little straighter which is nice. There is some other form of yarn that is recommended as more water resistant but with floatant I have had no problem holding up heavy flies with the egg yarn.

[Hairstacker]

Great, thanks!

[Mike O]

Davkrat,

Try it with 2 o-rings on the hemos. Slide one over, then fold the yarn, grab the o-ring you just slid off, then slide the other one over the doubled up yarn. No whip finish necessary.

The Big ??? is where to buy really cheap small o-rings???

[davkrat]

I paid $.75 for two at OSH in the prepackaged bubble pack. They were in the plumbing section. In the past I bought them out of bins like the nuts and bolts and think they were even cheaper than $.37 each

[Mike O]

I know, and even 37 cents makes them seemingly way too expensive. Doesn't seem like they should even cost that much.

[BillB]

When I make them I use the two O-rings as does maodiver. About 15 years ago I purchased some yellow macrame yarn for the task. Needless to say I still have enough to make several anchor lines for tubes! It's diameter and weave allow one to choose the size of the indicator desired.