question about strike indicators

[Tiger fly]

i am happy to say that as of Saturday, I am the proud owner of a TFO 3wt 7'6" Professional series. (Without breaking the bank, I might add) I tried the finesse but I liked the stouter feel of the professional. Thanks to the staff at LRO for letting me try out a few before I made my decision. I tried it out Saturday and Sunday above Tremont and I really liked it! It kept me out of trees a lot better than the 5/6wt I am used to!

On to my question though. I had very little luck Saturday or Sunday. I had my strike indicator about two feet up from my pheasant tail i was fishing. it was one of those sticky, orange neon indicators that are about the size of a dime after you squeeze them together. I was wondering if those are big enough to spook fish, especially with the water conditions the way they are. I thought i saw some much smaller ones at LRO. Should i try those? or leave it off completely?

[David Knapp]

First let me say congrats on the new rod!

Now about the indicator...as low as the water is, I would be fishing without a "normal" strike indicator. Try using a dry/dropper combo, with a #16 EHC, para Adams, or stimulator as the dry and then drop a smaller beadhead nymph (#18-#20 bhpt, copper john, etc...) below that. The dry shouldn't spook the fish as bad and will increase your odds of hooking up! If it was me, I would probably leave off the nymph altogether as long as the water is staying warm enough for the fish to be active...they should still be rising to dries just fine...

[ChemEAngler]

Tiger,
I have found that when the fish are really spooky or the water is low or clear that using a very bouyant dry fly is the best approach. I have seen fish on the clinch and SoHo where switching from a strike indicator to a size 16 sulfur makes a big difference. Now if I am fishing in stained, fast, or deep water (>4') that I just use a balloon. I learned this trick out west. You can buy a bag of 100 water balloons for around $1, and they are way easier to see in rough conditions than a standard indicator.

Travis

[bluefish]

I've used those indicators ,Palsa is the brand I think, quite a few times. and I have noticed that they sometimes will shut off spooky fish. Fluorocarbon may help especially in 6 and 7 x. I thought that these relatively small indicators would be a little more stealthy than some. Just like you I discovered they have their limitations. Parachutes greased up nicely just like the man says!