A Stillwater indicator leader setup

Matt B

Matt B

RAMONES
Forum Supporter
This setup worked really well for me the other day. Notable features include clinch knotting directly to the Maxima loop, and only using one fly (for once). The QR indicator goes between the fly and the 40 lb Maxima in case that isn’t obvious. The drilled-out QR indi peg slid right over that (double? Triple? I go through 3 times) surgeons knot, no problem, and the absence of any extraneous sh*t on there meant I was able to hang the bug at 3 feet to success, (and could’ve gone shallower if I wanted) and then easily switch back to fishing at 14-15’ depth. The #12 tungsten bead fly (see TP’s “something I used to tie thread) got there plenty quick and wasn’t too big, wasn’t too small. I think maybe they were taking it for a damsel nymph? A reeeal sparkly one? Who knows.

Critique.

5EEF015C-1612-44AA-B377-60242EE67732.jpeg
 
Matt B said:
How are you attaching the first fly, on its own short dropper leader? Is it a long tag end from a 3x to 3x surgeons knot?
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At the start of the day the top fly is on a tag from a surgeons knot, 6-8" long. after a couple fly changes I'll trim neat the use a 5 turn uni knot to put on a new dropper. Using a dropper loop presents better I think, but is too prone to tangles for me.
Having the ring where I do, I can add more 10# leader with a surgeons then clinch back onto the ring. Otherwise the whole terminal setup has to come through the knot. In consistent depths it's no big deal, but 1/2 the reservoir is 12' deep, the other 1/2 25'. I like to have that 10' out of the system in the shallower part as the sinking leader between fly line and float can make hook setting tough, among other line control issues.
 
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This, for me, turns over pretty well, when a cast is needed.
Seaguar Flourocarbon
6' of each....12#, 10#, 8#, swivel, 2' 5x flouro tippet....mid.
I'll lengthen the 12# section if needing to fish deeper than 20'

before rolling up and putting in a baggie, I add a hang marker (bobber stop), and a perfection loop....
 
Flybox1 said:
This, for me, turns over pretty well, when a cast is needed.
Seaguar Flourocarbon
6' of each....12#, 10#, 8#, swivel, 2' 5x flouro tippet....mid.
I'll lengthen the 12# section if needing to fish deeper than 20'

before rolling up and putting in a baggie, I add a hang marker (bobber stop), and a perfection loop....
Click to expand...
12# looped to your fly line will cut your fly line. Careful with that. That’s why I have a big fat butt (leader butt, cmon now) in the setup.
 
Flybox1 said:
This, for me, turns over pretty well, when a cast is needed.
Seaguar Flourocarbon
6' of each....12#, 10#, 8#, swivel, 2' 5x flouro tippet....mid.
I'll lengthen the 12# section if needing to fish deeper than 20'

before rolling up and putting in a baggie, I add a hang marker (bobber stop), and a perfection loop....
Click to expand...
Thread drift: tell your story about the fly in your avatar; I'm guessing the fly didn't get torn up and the hook bent from snagging bottom!

Your comment about "rolling up and putting in a baggie" makes me curious - do you carry additional homemade deep water leaders or is this so you can change out to a more standard leader?

Thanks!
Patrick
 
@Buzzy.
That fly was retired after 3 fish, on a N Central WA lake. One of those epic days you recount around the campfire.

When lakes are covered with ice, I fill my stillwater boxes and tie up about 2doz stillwater leaders, ranging 15'-25'. That lasts me the season.
I mark the overall length with sharpee, and include a bobber, peg, and swivel. Grab n go. Just add tippet and the mids.
I save standard leaders for fishing rivers and streams...
 
Flybox1 said:
@Buzzy.
That fly was retired after 3 fish, on a N Central WA lake. One of those epic days you recount around the campfire.

When lakes are covered with ice, I fill my stillwater boxes and tie up about 2doz stillwater leaders, ranging 15'-25'. That lasts me the season.
I mark the overall length with sharpee, and include a bobber, peg, and swivel. Grab n go. Just add tippet and the mids.
I save standard leaders for fishing rivers and streams...
Click to expand...
Thanks for explaining your leader technique. Interesting - I don't use loop connections, maybe I ought to reconsider as moving from place to place on a lake I've learned that a leader designed and built for 25-feet of water doesn't work worth a hoot on a ten foot deep shoal.
 
Flybox1 said:
@Buzzy.
That fly was retired after 3 fish, on a N Central WA lake. One of those epic days you recount around the campfire.

When lakes are covered with ice, I fill my stillwater boxes and tie up about 2doz stillwater leaders, ranging 15'-25'. That lasts me the season.
I mark the overall length with sharpee, and include a bobber, peg, and swivel. Grab n go. Just add tippet and the mids.
I save standard leaders for fishing rivers and streams...
Click to expand...
Nice idea, but I’m still confused a bit. If you are looping it on to the end of the fly line, wouldn’t you have to put the bobber through the fly line loop? Don’t think that fits.
 
After the leader is connected to the fly line (loop to loop), I slide my peg on, then the bobber, and attach the swivel...at the business end of the leader. Its all loose in the baggie.

This past friday we started fishing out in 20'-22', but as the water warmed, fish were in 10'. Hacked most of the 12# section, and made a quick albright knot to the fly line loop. Took seconds and I was back fishing. These leaders are cheap to make, so I dont mind hacking one up if a big depth change is needed...
 
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the lake i just fished i was fishing 11'- 13' and this is what i used; I have a 6" piece of Maxima 25lb attached to my fly line and then loop to loop to my leader which is 15lb Seaguar Flourocarbon 10', like above i slide on my peg and bobber attach a number 10 swivel, then i used 6lb seaguar flouro 1' to first fly and 1' to bottom fly. I rigged it like i was nymphing the river and attached the leader to the hook of the top fly and also added a small split shot in between the flies to get them down fast. It cast fine and fished fine so no complaints. Nex time i go out i will try a different setup. I also took delivery of a box of new bobbers for me to try out ;) I think i have enough to hand out to friends and will last me my lifetime
IMG_2077.JPG
 
steelheardr99 said:
the lake i just fished i was fishing 11'- 13' and this is what i used; I have a 6" piece of Maxima 25lb attached to my fly line and then loop to loop to my leader which is 15lb Seaguar Flourocarbon 10', like above i slide on my peg and bobber attach a number 10 swivel, then i used 6lb seaguar flouro 1' to first fly and 1' to bottom fly. I rigged it like i was nymphing the river and attached the leader to the hook of the top fly and also added a small split shot in between the flies to get them down fast. It cast fine and fished fine so no complaints. Nex time i go out i will try a different setup. I also took delivery of a box of new bobbers for me to try out ;) I think i have enough to hand out to friends and will last me my lifetime
View attachment 15803
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You’d think it would be enough, but I’m about to order my 3rd round of 100.

I do give a lot away though.
 
10lb red label seagar fluorocarbon from the fly line as long as you need it for depth of water. Small size 20 swivel to which I attach 8lb red label I use about 3 and a half feet to the first fly. Then a dropper of 6lb red label. I put the sliding indicator above the swivel and add tungsten putty to the swivel to keep the indicator in place. This has been my go to set up for 15 years.
 
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