Lets dive headlong into one of the most contentious issues in fly-fishing today. Strike indicators. Gasps!, He's not? is he!) There are two main camps on this subject. Those that are progressive fly fishermen and hence early adopters of new products. Those that are traditionalists and wouldn't be seen dead with a strike indicator and then there area small number of anglers that profess to be the latter but are in fact the former. Time to come out of the closet! Traditionalists please look away now, these make fishing fun, you wouldn't like them.

These things are brilliant! (And that sort of marks which camp I belong to. I just wish I'd invented them!) They're simple, work well, come in a range of sizes, do what they are supposed to and last for ages. You even get spare rubbers in case the original one snaps. Although how you get back the two little pieces that are floating down the river when it snaps, it doesn't say. Maybe they should come with a free wet suit?

This is another product I found whilst fishing in Canada. One that instantly found a home in my vest pocket. They have replaced the previous version also found in Canada. About five years ago I found a roll-on foam version that have been my standard until being unceremoniously banished to the tackle bag under the stairs not to be seen again until antique.

"So what are they for"?
Basically they make the tip of the fly line more buoyant and also easier to see. Try fishing three split shot (gasps of horror from the traditionalists that read on…) 12" up from a nymph and see how long your fly line can support this weight. It can't. Twist on the largest size indicator and it can support them without issue. Your line tip will bob down the current allowing easy recognition of takes.

"But that's Float Fishing"! Screams the frantic traditionalist. Well maybe. But so is using the modern plastic line. Or even a greased up silk line. You can just see this one better.

For dead drift and Czech nymphing it's a godsend. Just lift the line from the water until just the indicator is bobbing down the run and watch for takes. For fishing deep and dirty they are great. What else? Buzzer fishing. They support a leader with four buzzers using the largest size and it works perfectly. There is a little more fly movement in windy conditions due to the buoyancy of the indicator that ‚jigs' the flies. (You can hear the thump as the traditionalist hits the floor) If you need static flies just use a smaller one. It will ride in the surface.

"I'm sold! I'll have some! So how do they work"?

Well, they have a small slot in the two pieces that are held under tension by a small elastic tag. (The pack comes with clear and precise instructions). You slip the leader into the slot, twist the rubber at each end by 180° and then twist the two sections through 180° three times. This wraps the leader around the rubber and gives enough tension so that it stays where you want it. If you need to adjust your leader length, just slide it up or down as required. This is invaluable whilst Czech nymphing and changing between different depth pools.

To remove them at the end of the day, simply twist the other way.

I've only once had one fly off the line and that was due to a rather upset 12lb salmon pulling so hard on the leader that the twists undid themselves. It was worth the trade. J During casting you cannot tell they are there and will stay where you put them even with the most enthusiastic double hauling. I found it useful to colour some black with a felt tip for bright conditions and water glare.

So for about 5 English pounds you can say goodbye to waterlogged fly lines and sinking tips. You might even catch some more fish…

Just don't tell the traditionalists...