The Best Strike Indicators

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An indicator is the interface between you and a nymph you cannot see, and the wrong one costs fish in both directions: too stiff to register soft takes, or too heavy to land quietly over spooky trout. Styles trade off against each other, with yarn offering sensitivity and delicate landings, foam and plastic bobber types casting better and suspending heavier rigs, and each varying in how easily depth adjusts mid-drift. We weighed sensitivity, ease and speed of depth changes, how gently each style lands, buoyancy under weighted rigs, and whether the indicator kinks leader material. Technical dry-dropper and spring creek anglers should lean toward yarn and the lighter styles. Anglers fishing heavy stonefly rigs, deep runs, or wind need the buoyant bobber styles that suspend weight without drowning. Carrying two types costs little and covers most days.