The weather is beautiful here in Lewiston (CA). I had a nice day catching 13 and 14 inch trout in double digits over 5 hours. I was indicator fishing and the fish were loving to take a size 16 Pheasant Tail nymph, 8 feet under the indicator. I’ve always used thingamabobbers in the smallest size for midge fishing. However, the problem arises trying to take them off from a thin section of leader. I sometimes end up doubling the connection instead of releasing the bobber. I then have to cut the line and re-tie the entire leader / tippet.
When I fished with Don a couple of weeks ago he was using a yarn indicator. I made some of these after buying the material online. All the diections and links to purchase of materials were found at Troutbitten.com. https://troutbitten.com/2017/03/30/dorsey-yarn-indicator-everything-need-know-little/ .
I lost my last bobber and put on the Dorsey Yarn Indicator using an orthodontic 1/4 inch rubber band. I was amazed at the sensitivity of the indicator, even though it looked like a cherry Starburst floating on the surface. The indicator would jump an inch if a fish nudged the fly. It held up well and floated for three hours. I couldn’t have asked for more.
On to the second point. loop connections to the fly. I’ve read that having loop connections to midges gives them more action and entice more fish. My experience is not statistically significant but it happened yesterday nonetheless. I have been tying the Lefty Kreh’s loop knot and can now tie it in less than a half hour lol.
Fishing was slow for a while yesterday so I cast perpendicularly from my boat into deep water. Three casts, landed three fish. The last fish broke the fly off in the net. I retied it on my tippet and goofed up, so I just tied an improved clinch knot. The next three casts and drifts—nothing. I pulled in the line and retied the fly using a Kreh’s loop. Next three casts……Fish On. Then the action tapered off.
I know the takes and non-takes could have been coincidental, but from now on I’m always tying a loop knot to my midges, and using the Dorsey Yarn Indicator.
Tight Lines!