Had a busy morning knocking up 1/2 doz of these.
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For those unfamiliar with the concept take a look at this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiZxO4pAKLA
Now I consider these essential for nymph fishing, some my disagree but they certainly improved my "workflow". So versatile.
The "official" tool can be bought for £20 or so, alternatively you can have one of mine which are functionally identical. All I ask is you make a small forum donation, £5 seems about right.
Each will come with spare tubing and some Merino wool in 2 colours. If you save the wool and slide the tube back onto the tool when you are finished this kit will last you for decades.
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They are made from a size 18 tapestry needle, a bit of nylon and a sea fishing bead superglued in place.. The needle is cut with a Dremel and the slot deburred. I have been using this for years after losing the £20 one I bought.
I use these from Rede river
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MiV-Hvu1rY
I have used those in the past Richard but found them a bit heavy and splashy for all but the heaviest rigs.
I was using a wet fly and one 2mm tungsten bead nymph and it was fine balance wise, though it was so windy it was hard to tell what it was casting like.
Fred, I'll take one.
I've been using Loon Biostrike putty. In cold temps it goes hard and flies off. in warm temps it goes soft and flies off.
I've tried the putty too Mac and didn't get on with it.
I think I used the same bit of wool most of last season, just stuck it in to my fly drier when I took it off at the end of the day. :D
PM me your address and I'll post one out to you.
I'll have one Fred. Have posted donation including something to cover postage along with my address.
Tight Lines
I'll post it off tomorrow Alan. Thanks.
I have had one of Fred's Indicator Kits for some years and can verify that they work well, last for ages, can use a pinch of sheep's wool off a fence and also adjust easily. Top notch value !!!
I remember when "The Original" came on the market some years ago, what was it New Zealand Indicator or something like that I note hat they are still being sold but at around £20 each bit on the pricey side to say the least.
Tight Lines
When the tool first came out it cost about £35. :shock: The delicate tip broke off mine when it got caught up in my fleece so I thought to myself - sod that I'll make my own. It took a while and a bit of rummaging in the Letham craft shop to find a suitable needle. Millward no 18 was the best. Getting small enough tubing was also an issue, just had to do a bit of raking about on eBay.
I'll be honest, my version is better, not quite as fiddly and a lot stronger. I'm writing a Fish Wild article for the next issue.
This style of indicator was invented by an American guide called Rudi Ferris. He used the tubing out of empty Biros.
I'm not sure why it's called a NZ strike indicator. Alex and I have always called it a Ferris indicator.
QuoteWhen the tool first came out it cost about £35.
God & I thought £20 ish was expensive. Bobfly's use of the sheep hair got me thinking about my youthful forays
on the River Clyde Roberton to Thankerton stretch. I fished a Stonefly Nymph (Gadger) on a size 10 hook & a whisk of sheep fur taken from a barbed wire fence about 2ft from the hook. Beauty of this method was not just to catch Trout & some were quite weighty but actually catching the nymph was the fun part. I had a landing net at one time which had a bottom section of narrow gauge mesh. What I did was place the net down stream from me & I in turn kicked over some stones to dislodge the Gadger they floated down & were caught in the net kept them in a wee Golden Virginia tobacco tin. Later on I used coloured wool either red or yellow depending on water height & colour. Used an Green Heart 10ft rod I was given by an old fisherman until it dried out & subsequently broke. There after a Milbro Truefly of similar length A Kingfisher No 2 line with a touch of Mucilin to keep it up & a dab on the wool. If I was fishing close in & would dispense with the wool floatant. On occasion I would pinch a small split shot 6" above the hook to get it down but all depending river depth & speed.
All in all a most enjoyable way to fish. I have a chuckle when I read today about weighted nymphs, chuck & duck etc.
Ok things, techniques/materials have evolved but nothing is really new is it you can not go far wrong using a natural in any circumstances I believe.
So you guys that fish rivers take advantage of Fred's fine offer.Tight Lines