Best Strike Indicator Setup // Hinged New Zealand Style Indicator

Link to Full Blog Article: www.redsflysho...
Whether a yarn strike indicator or a bobber is better depends on various factors, including fishing conditions, personal preference, and the type of fish being targeted.
Visibility: Yarn indicators are often preferred for their low visibility and sensitivity. They are subtle and less likely to spook fish in clear water conditions. However, in rougher or choppy water, they may be harder to see compared to brightly colored bobbers.
Sensitivity: Yarn indicators are generally more sensitive than bobbers because they offer less resistance to the fish when they take the fly. This can result in better strike detection, especially with subtle takes from cautious fish.
Versatility: Bobbers come in various shapes and sizes, offering versatility in different fishing situations. Larger bobbers can support heavier flies and can be more visible in turbulent water. They're also easier to adjust for depth compared to yarn indicators.
Durability: Yarn indicators can become waterlogged over time, losing their buoyancy and requiring frequent drying and re-treatment with floatant. On the other hand, bobbers are often more durable and resistant to water absorption.
Ultimately, both types of indicators have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on the angler's preferences and the specific fishing conditions. Experimenting with both types can help anglers determine which works best for their needs.
Connect with Red's :
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Instagram: / redsflyshop
Facebook: / redsflyshop
Shop Online: redsflyfishing...

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi, just a few comments from NZ angler. The best wool for this is picked off a sheep paddock fence as it has the original lanolin infused in the wool and this makes it float all day. The second thing is that you need to trim your float to a nice small indicator, I even use a moustache comb to fluff up the fibres. The third thing is that a white indicator will not work for you in all the light shining off the water. It might pay you to change to green, orange or red or a mixture. The mistake we often see are huge lumps off wool being shot out into the river followed by a big splash and scattering of fish. In some of our deep pools we have to fish with fifteen plus feet of line under the indicator and this makes for some interesting casting! Cheers mate. Harera...

[@redsflyshop]

That would be cool to grab your indicator material while crossing a fence on the way to your stream. I need to go to NZ.

[@alinaaseh3679]

@@redsflyshop If we do not have fresh NZ sheep's wool readily available to us, how do you suggest keeping the yarn dry and buoyant??

[@redsflyshop]

@@alinaaseh3679 You can use Loon Aquel floatant, but you can buy NZ wool right here. This is what I am encouraging you to use. redsflyfishing.com/products/new-zealand-wool?_pos=2&_sid=bd42f4837&_ss=r

[@bigtasty2553]

I just want to say Joe you are such a great asset to the sport! As a novice you have helped me so much over the past 2 years! It is these videos that you put out that helps me, your great explanations and insight are appreciated! And I am not a free loader, I make sure to support Red's. I bought my Echo Shadow 2 from your shop and have bought other supplies and I encourage all the other viewers who watch these videos to support Red's they deserve our business! Keep up the videos, they are appreciated by beginner angler's like me. If I ever make it out west I promise I will stop by the shop!

[@redsflyshop]

Thank You! We appreciate everyone's support and know that I love what I do here. Pretty awesome having a job working at Red's Fly Shop.

[@ryanbroder4686]

Joe I gave this a go this summer! Literally a game changer! Caught so many more fish and all with a nice upper lip hook set!

[@redsflyshop]

Excellent. It's a great setup, very good presentations here.

[@johnshand6176]

Thanks for that explanation. I have not given enough consideration to why it works so well. I use an identical set up down-under in NZ and it works like a dream.

[@nicolelewis1828]

Joe, thanks for this! Great innovative set up. I'll be trying this out this coming season!

[@redsflyshop]

You are welcome, good luck and I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.

[@Riverbugger]

Awesome set up. Thanks for sharing it Joe!! Will try it out this week!! Stay Fish N it!!

[@Gylldoh]

Wow gonna have to try that. That hinge makes a lot of sense!

[@redsflyshop]

It works. There is a learning curve to getting the yarn to setup right and stay dry and delicate, but totally worth it. Next level presentations.

[@shannonsparr3925]

Awesome set up! I’m digging the Young Life hat too!

[@redsflyshop]

Young Life does a great job here in our community, we have a couple of leaders on staff here. Thanks for the props!

[@bobdonaldson445]

You’re speaking to me. I love this setup with the loop and tippet ring

[@redsflyshop]

Oh thanks Bob, it is very effective! It allows you to fish lighter, yet get the fly quite deep.

[@craigbooker1503]

Hey Joe Yes ! It is a really cool simple system. I have been utilizing it for some time now with very good success. Love your vids mate. Cheers Craig (NZ) 😎

[@christostemmet8532]

Excellent system - Thanks for sharing! Man that T&T Contact is a handsome looking rod!

[@craigbay9196]

Joe, Very helpful, thanks for all your practical and understandable videos! Hey like the Young Life hat!!

[@robertcpark]

Trying to noodle through how we could make this an adjustable system somehow but it’s making my head hurt . The ease of adjusting any style of indicator up or down (including wool) without the fixed ring/hinge (to deal with water with lots of depth changes) may outweigh the advantage of having the hinge. Will definitely put this into practice.

[@ericammerall695]

Going try this setup next trip out! Creative!

[@azlunatic6997]

Love the YL hat!!

[@redsflyshop]

YL!!!!

[@TheRonthehandyman]

Hey joe. I have followed you for 4 years now. I think this is the first time I have “heard” /seen you discuss a tippet ring. I have thought about it myself yet have caved to peers saying “ nah”. I would like to see a video discussing tippet rings and your take on their uses. Seems to me ( as you discuss) that it’s a perfect way to drift a bug. Thx.

[@redsflyshop]

Hi Ron, I don't always use them, but for a hinged nymph rig there is nothing better IMO. You pose a great question, as I despise them for dry fly fishing and hitching up tandem rigs close to the fly BUT.... in my clinics many anglers prefer their ease of rigging.

[@thetintwizardsllc3128]

Thank you for sharing Nice video I just tried this in the San Juan river in New Mexico with my own built in leaders and I caught more fish using that rig then then using the rio leader and a Thingamabobber I would recommend this rig to anyone for fly fishing

[@redsflyshop]

Excellent! There is a learning curve to the construction and the handling, but so worth it!

[@lunchpail2]

Great video Joe! I love the NZ indicator system but am incorporating the tippet ring hinge this season. You do a great job of explaining your topics. Thank you!

[@redsflyshop]

You are welcome, this rig WORKS! :)

[@robertcpark]

This is super helpful. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks!

[@flyguy2021]

Been doing it that way for years, but not with the tippet ring at the end. Great idea for an even better hinge.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks, I sometimes loop to loop it but the tippet ring makes cleaning up your leader much faster when you need to replace tippet.

[@villagevillage2400]

Thanks for another cracking how-to video! Do you think it would work just as well if you had the loop in the tippet and the ring tied hard to the leader? Then you could use your regular leader and ring and tie less knots switching back and forth from nymph to dry fly

[@kirkswenson5130]

Great tip, thanks Joe!

[@OdinsChosen208]

big thing i noticed in stillwater with yarn is theres no resistance from the yarn when a fish takes it so they dont spit it immediately like they do with really buoyant ones also the yarn is so sensitive to everything its just the best and its not close also not as much tangles if any once youre used to it and dont have to keep your casting loop so open

[@TheEmiliodiaz]

Love the young life hat!! Blessings from Woodburn oregon YL

[@rosswilson5253]

That looks great. I do a right angle set up with a thingabobber too. The bobber is in the loop and I tie the tippet onto the mono. The tipper ring is much better. Still hate those bobbers though.

[@modicksey7349]

I have been a pro my whole life and even i find this a great tip

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Mo, very kind of you. Thanks for watching and the kind words.

[@danschmitz4699]

Wow, need more Joe!

[@ScottMilamscottenglishphoto]

So helpful! Thank you!

[@JohnDrach]

Great vid! Learned something new!

[@PaulTenenbaum]

That's it, I've had it with nymphs and nymphing. It's either soft hackles or dries for me from now on. Nothing else is fly fishing as far as I'm concerned. Enough shmucking and ducking. It's either graceful casting or bust. The good news is you kind of look like GGG in this video.

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

Great concept for slow edge, Joe! It would be enlightening to compare this with drop shotting on deeper runs. I can see the pluses for both methods there.

[@redsflyshop]

That's a great question, this NZ setup works very well for holding long quiet drifts in softer water with complex currents. The Yarn seems to "hold the drift" longer. Drop shotting seems to work well in areas with swifter currents where fish are holding exclusively in the bottom half of the water column (which is slower).

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

@@redsflyshop Looking forward to trying your twist on the NZ rig. I'd say drop shot for bigger freestone rivers, NZ for spring creeks and smaller streams

[@squatchy69]

I've been indicator fishing this exact way for 45 years now

[@kdawggg28]

How long of a tippet section do you use typically? Seems like I end up moving my indicator a lot to adjust for changing depths but since this system is harder to adjust depth do you just leave it the same for the most part?

[@jimmy196791]

Great video 👍

[@sponge81235]

I like the video and Young Life hat

[@johnmoore2522]

Thanks for a great video. two questions- do you use floatant on the wool? does the weight of the tippet ring rule out switching to a dry fly with that leader if BWOs or midges start hatching? Don't know if you mentioned it but I am guessing that wool indicator is more sensitive to soft takes as you will get in the winter fishing midge nymphs.

[@redsflyshop]

Good questions, I use Loon Aquel on the yarndicators, and this tippet ring is too heavy for dry flies. The "small" size would work but I like the larger one for my nymph rigs.

[@allkite]

Hey Joe - awesome video, thanks for sharing ! One quick question: if you are using unweighted nymphs on a single fly rig, where would you attach your split shot? 10-14 inches above the fly ? And secondly, if you were using a double nymph rig with a dropper, where would you attach split shot in that instance? Thanks again, tight lines !

[@redsflyshop]

Great questions, I rarely use split shot but you can attach it either 12-18" above the top fly for suspended rigs (fly up off the bottom). I would run a triple surgeons knot above the top fly about 12-18" above it. If you are "drop shotting" you can run the shot on a line below the flies and let it drag the bottom. This has to be a pretty light setup as the yarn doesn't tend to lift and rebound when the shot taps.

[@allkite]

@@redsflyshop Joe, you're a legend. I assume the triple surgeons is so the shot doesn't slip down ? And for a double nymph rig, would you still run the shot 12-18" above top fly ? I've seen some people put the shot between the two flies. Thanks !

[@mattokeefe691]

That is brilliant

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Matt, it really allows you to fish light yet get your flies to depth in a hurry. This is my favorite rig for indicator fishing.

[@alexargyros7186]

This is a wonderful video: very clear and informative. Thanks. In the video you reference fishing for a million dollars. If you were nymphing for a million dollars but you didn't know in advance what kind of water you'd be fishing, what kind of nymphing setup would you choose (i.e., this New Zealand wool rig, Euro, etc.)?

[@redsflyshop]

Probably NZ style on a sighter. Then I could pluck the yarn out and use it as a Euro rig haha! That was a trick question.

[@alexargyros7186]

@@redsflyshop Remind me never to play you at poker. Smart answer, but cheating nonetheless.

[@redsflyshop]

@@alexargyros7186 I suck at Poker, but am working on my cribbage game.

[@nordmende73]

Thanks!

[@gp4081]

Wonderful video. Thank you. Purchasing the items today. Would it be best to build your own leader? If so, can you help me with the tippet size and lengths? Thank you again!

[@wyomingtrout5581]

Joe, what type a cast do you recommend to get the flies in the water before the indicator lands. Can you execute a tuck cast using a Euro rod and line with the rigging you outlined in this video?

[@garyfelix3069]

Another great video. Thanks! In what situations do you prefer to fish this indicator rig vs euro nymph?

[@chrisivey4461]

With this set up is the NZ more advantageous than a loon tip topper? If you aren’t moving the yarn then what’s the difference? Thanks.

[@rizej08]

This seems like a great nymphing set up. One question - how would you adjust the depth? The only way I can imagine is either trimming tippet or adding more tippet with a triple surgeon's knot or blood knot...

[@redsflyshop]

Yes, that's the program here. Get the New Zealand Kit for building a very similar indicator with adjustability. Great tool! redsflyfishing.com/products/new-zealand-strike-indicator-tool-kit

[@Nik-gh6gz]

What do you do when you need to fish deeper and faster water where you would otherwise need splitshot? More yarn?

[@lukeramirez8060]

Is this basically a hopper dropper but the hopper has no hook?

[@phoult37]

Question: I like to tight-line mini-leeches and small buggers (4.0 mm tungsten beads), then throw on an airlock indicator if I need to drift at a distance. Would a yarn system like this be able to handle that kind of weight?

[@redsflyshop]

4 mm, should be no problem. You just build it to suit your needs. Not too big, not too small. That is what is so nice about these. The indicator needs to be buoyant enough to float, but not so much that the fly can't slow it down.

[@phoult37]

@@redsflyshop Thanks for the reply! I didn't realize the size of the yarn is adjustable...good stuff man.

[@sketcham9234]

Tuck cast to get the flies to land before your indicator 👍

[@redsflyshop]

Yes good tip, lots to cover there. Light yarn is great for this as it will flutter down slowly over the top of the nymphs.

[@jameskdot]

any reason you would run another loop knot rather than a tippet ring?

[@squatchy69]

Black yarn works mu h better in all instances. Try it

[@joshfriedman1461]

That's just great joe, as always. So do you do some special cast to get the nymph in first, like parachute or steeple cast?

[@redsflyshop]

Great question, yes. A high stopping point on the forward cast will kick the nymph down below the indicator, and then the indicator will flutter down over the nymph softly.

[@joshfriedman1461]

@@redsflyshop thanks!

[@ggyt2994]

Is it reasonable to use heavy indicator on mid-flex action fly rod? Will it cast properly?

[@waynegraff3942]

New drinking game. Take a shot of whiskey anytime he says "actually or guide".

[@redsflyshop]

You will "actually" get wrecked doing that. Trust me I'm a "guide". :)

[@alinaaseh3679]

Hi Joe. Are there any alternative loop knots you’d recommend for securing the Tippett ring to the leader, such as an open clinch, perfection, etc?

[@redsflyshop]

Non Slip Mono Loop, Perfection, or even some of the saltwater knots like a Homer Rhodes would work great depending on the diameter of the butt section. I use the Non Slip Mono Loop.

[@desmondhall1020]

Joe, great video. Would you see this working a small stream pocket water??

[@redsflyshop]

Absolutely! The way this indicator lands you can feather it down over the top of the nymph and it flutters down right on top of the fly... so... in pocket water you can land your fly and the indicator in the pocket rather than having the indicator in one current speed and the fly in another.

[@desmondhall1020]

@@redsflyshop Cheers Joe!!

[@johnyorchak5162]

I noticed at the end of the video you were killing them with pink squirmies. Do you have a tying video? I've been tying mine a few different ways so I'm curious how you do yours. Thanks.

[@redsflyshop]

I've tied 'em quite a bit, but don't have any vids. I personally like "jig style" with only a tail on it. I am sure there are better resources than me for tying these. Just being honest!

[@johnyorchak5162]

@@redsflyshop thanks joe, there are tons of videos online but I haven’t found one I really like so I thought I’d ask. 😏

[@fabios35076]

As always thanks for sharing ! Couple questions if I may You were fishing with a 3 ft lead. I'm.assuming the depth may have been 4 ft or so? What if we were fishing 15 ft of ? We would obviously need a longer lead would this setup still fish the same way?

[@redsflyshop]

I rarely run more than 7' below an indicator, you just lose so much control beyond that. Give it a shot, I can't speak to the effectiveness of that however. I imagine landing fish could be tricky. I would try to set the rig up so you can reel it through your top couple of guides.

[@MScottyW]

It took me a while to tie the non slip onto the ring. I am sure I’m doing something wrong to make it harder than it should be (I had to delicately work the tippet wrong while tying the loop). How are you doing it?

[@redsflyshop]

GREAT question! Tippet Rings are a bugger to handle. If you have a little chunk of tippet on the other end you can control it better. Anytime I reuse a tippet ring I like to leave about 3-4" of tippet on there to help me handle it.

[@realsafoxmulder]

Who's this? Where's Red? No glasses? I don't know you! That's my purse!

[@MrGTroutman]

Why do you use a perfection loop with the tippet ring instead of just tying the leader directly to the tippet ring? or use a small micro swivel in place of the tippet ring?

[@redsflyshop]

Hi Gary, the loop allows it to hinge and fall with less weight or time required for the fly to fall through the water column. You can certainly use a small swivel, and I've don that but prefer a ring.

[@jimmykazantzis4858]

Great explanation. Thanks. Are you able to add split shot if needed to this rig as well (will the yarn hold it’s float), or just sticking with weighted nymphs?

[@redsflyshop]

You could, but the effectiveness is in the simplicity. It seems to suspend the nymph and present really well with a clean line and no interuptions.

[@jimmykazantzis4858]

@@redsflyshop I like that. Thanks.

[@tozankyaku14]

Wow really great system!! Question: can you switch it around? i mean have the Tippet ring on the main leader and the perfection loop on the tippet end?

[@redsflyshop]

Yes, but I just find it faster to rebuild when all I have to do is tie a Clinch Knot when replacing tippet.

[@tozankyaku14]

@@redsflyshop clench knot? Was I wrong on the knots that I saw? It looked like a tippet ring and a perfection loop

[@redsflyshop]

@@tozankyaku14 Oh I misunderstood, Perfection loop connects primary leader (butt section) to the tippet ring, then Clinch Knot connects tippet to Tippet Ring.

[@jrcll7856]

great video.... can that new zealand style be made adjustable like the video you did a few yrs ago with a thing a bober

[@redsflyshop]

It sure can if you use the NZ Indicator kit, sometimes I just tie the yarn in if I'm fishing a fixed depth. redsflyfishing.com/products/new-zealand-strike-indicator-tool-kit

[@sgm505]

I’m confused where you would place your weight in proportion to my flies. Want to try this at the San Juan. Small flies. Any info??

[@sgm505]

@Robert Pelletier thanks a bunch for the info

[@charliemitchell2091]

Seems like this wouldn’t cast that well with that tippet ring loose on the non-slip knot?

[@redsflyshop]

Worthy question, but it casts just fine as long as you don't generate too much slack in your cast.

[@pmecservice8446]

Hi Joe , could I successfully run that rig on a 10’ 7wt ? We have a lot of migratory trout coming in and the water is gin clear Thanks

[@redsflyshop]

Yes, that would work just fine. You'll just want to make sure you are running a fairly long leader to make the heavier weight of a #7 line doesn't negatively affect drift. Heavy lines are thicker, therefore cause more drag. I would keep this indicator a minimum of 4' from the fly line.

[@Hwy101CR]

#facts

[@martincaravati9417]

Nice setup! What size tippet ring are you using?

[@redsflyshop]

Thank you, the Large size tends to hinge better.

[@whitetailgaming270]

I just bought what's the ticket to keep it a float I normally put a beadhead on first and a normal nymph on the trailer sometimes put a split shot above the beadhead thanks for your input

[@redsflyshop]

I use Loon Aquel and run a comb through it to separate all the micro fibers and increase the surface area. You can make your indicators larger or smaller depending on the demands of your nymphs so you can get it just the right size.

[@chaselamoreaux3383]

Thanks joe! Are you able to suspend small double nymph rigs with yarn?

[@redsflyshop]

Absolutely, you can build the size you need by using a NZ style tool or you can simply tie the yarn in with an overhand knot.

[@philstanley4727]

Where could I find that hoodie you are wearing? looks cool.

[@redsflyshop]

FishOn Energy. It was a gift, but I'll bet you can look 'em up! Great product and nice material.

[@dapperdude642]

Do you ever use multiple nymphs with this technique?

[@redsflyshop]

Yes, all the time. My goal is to fish a single fly most of the time because I believe it is "cleaner" under an indicator but I'll run tandems yes. Often.

[@camelxhol551]

Where does the split shot fall into this system?

[@redsflyshop]

You can do it a couple of ways. Traditionally you can put a small tick of shot above your flies, or if you "drop shot" you can hang the tag off the bottom.

[@evanhb49]

so how would you setup for heavy nymphs?

[@redsflyshop]

More yarn, or a 3/4" Thingamabobber. If I'm running a #4 Tungsten Stone, bobber, but most of my #6 Stones will float under yarn if you take the time to set it up right. It just tracks so much better than a "bobber" IMO. Just takes some practice getting used to rigging them up, combing them out, and managing the floatant amount, mending, etc. Once you get good at this.... big advantage.

[@croziersc]

Yo joe why can I not find your podcast on spotify what do I need to search always listened on pod bean but not using it anymore

[@redsflyshop]

You can find it here, redsflyshop.podbean.com/

[@redsflyshop]

Or here, podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mend-fly-fishing-podcast-joe-rotter-reds-fly-shop/id1501413453

[@dgarland10]

For the leader above the tippet ring would you use nylon or fluoro?

[@redsflyshop]

Nylon for sure, it's supple and floats a bit better making mending easier and more manageable in general.

[@dgarland10]

@@redsflyshop what “x” nylon leader do recommend above the tippet ring? Can’t wait to try this!

[@SDPBALLCOACH]

@Piere Vozjola Ok, I got fly rod, line, flies, and a sheep ranch. I AIN'T GOT NO RED, GREEN, OR YELLOW SHEEP! ONLY WHITE!! What now!??

[@redsflyshop]

Better white than black for visibility :). Ha yea you'll need to breed the new colors into them. May take a few generations but then you can sell the wool at a premium.

[@SDPBALLCOACH]

@@redsflyshop Maybe I can "paint 'em" n tell them they're a new color. Speed up things. My ranch is just over the hill from ya in Doyle, just south of Susanville.. Tight lines..

[@TheRonthehandyman]

Go fish !

[@jerrydell4646]

Would this set up work for steelhead!!!

[@redsflyshop]

Only if you were using really lightweight flies, so typically I wouldn't use it for that.

[@badneed]

What size tippet ring please?

[@redsflyshop]

Large is best, it allows for the most freedom to drop the tippet. redsflyfishing.com/products/rio-tippet-rings?_pos=1&_sid=fee661765&_ss=r

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

If you dont put floant on thes they are useless. First time I used the NZ indicator. The third case I looked and the indicator was no where to be seen. Pulled in the line and looked like a a blob of wet wool. SO PUT FLOATANT ON THIS. I have looked at dozens of thes video about the NZ indicator and only one ever mentioned floatant. USE FLOATANT

[@redsflyshop]

Yes, floatant and if you have a small comb that will enhance the floatation. Bit of a learning curve to it.

[@RamBowMike]

The worst tool any fisherman can own! You will misplace the needle rendering the rest of the kit useless... Don't waste your money....

[@redsflyshop]

Ok, what are the 2nd and 3rd place finishers for "worst tool any fisherman can own" ? Now I'm curious.

[@RamBowMike]

@@redsflyshop Zingers are second and plastic fly boxes would be third...

[@redsflyshop]

@@RamBowMike Good answer, but I was hoping for "leader straightener".

[@TheChrisfleury1]

i got in a run, started slinging meat, problem solved