Homer Simpson was not referring to strike indicators in that scene, but he very well could have been. To prove my point, why don't you walk into a fly shop sometime and either start telling people how strike indicators are for greenhorns or how only a fool wouldn't use a strike indicator. It would be similar to throwing fish food into a school of hungry carp at a marina. Just sit back and watch the animals come unhinged to the point they are crawling over one another as to not be outdone. One could also call this stirring the pot.
In full disclosure, I use strike indicators A LOT. I typically fish deep pools and still water so using them is a must a lot of the time. I also fish dries, streamers, and wet flies as well so I see a time and place for them. However, I am not too proud to admit when I am wrong and to see the error in my ways. So let's take a look at the debate of the strike indicator- to use a bobber, or not use a bobber? Also, if you really want to get the evil eye from other fly fishermen, call a strike indicator a bobber and see what happens. Seriously, try it. It's pretty funny.
There are some folks that HATE strike indicators. I have seen guys on TV shows talk about how bulky they are and how they cumbersome. I recently read that some folks find strike indicators to be unnecessary in shallow or pocket water and that an indicator will sometimes spook fish. I have also heard that people will miss a lot of strikes that will not register on a strike indicator because a fish might actually have a fly in its mouth, but if it doesn't swim downward or allow current to pass on and sink as a result, that a large number of strikes will be missed. Fair enough. All good points.
However, strike indicators are incredibly important when wanting to target a specific point in the water column where fish are holding. Take a long, deep pool with a slow drift. If you want to get a fly in front of as many fish as possible, then a strike indicator set at the right depth is the way to go. Also, if you are fishing still water, a strike indicator allows you to maintain a certain depth where fish might be suspending.
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| These are peel and stick indicators. They are pretty effective but leave a residue on your line after being used. |
So with lines clearly drawn in the sand between the indicator haters and the bobber lovers, let's muddy up the water a little shall we...just for fun. If you are fishing a hopper and dropper set up, does the hopper count as an indicator? Does that tick off the purist as much as a piece of yarn that indicates a strike? What about fishing a wet fly and watching the end of your fly line? In essence, isn't your fly line a strike indicator?
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| This is my personal favorite brand and type of indicators but I prefer the teardrop shape. |
Ultimately, I don't think there is a "right" answer.other than folks should feel free to fly fish in the way they see fit without fear of judgement from others. Purists shouldn't feel like nymphers are calling them snobby or uppity behind their backs. Indicator fishermen shouldn't feel judged as inferior by people that fish dries exclusively. In the end, we all love fly fishing and love fish. If we didn't, then we would all use push button rods and night-crawlers...not that there is anything wrong with that! As fly fishermen, we are intentionally and knowingly making something more challenging and difficult on purpose. It is my hope that this common thread is enough to unify us in a way that makes us welcome more folks to our beautiful sport and spark a fiery passion in others that burns within ourselves. If you throw a fly rod, you are a fly fisherman and that makes you pretty darn special and ridiculously awesome! Wow, without knowing it I just started humming "Kumbaya". That was weird!
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