Fly Fishing Skill Builder #7 | Strike Indicators, Line to Leader Connections & Fish Multiple Flies

These SKILL BUILDER videos will help you along your fly fishing journey! We choose three tips and post them every week!
In this Fly Fishing Skill Builder Lance Egan gives a rundown on all the types of indicators we have available and how each one is used. He also show the best way to connect your fly line to leader, and finally Lance shows several ways to setup multiple flies on one rig!
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[@JAStroutFlies]

Watched 100’s of fishing videos yours are the most straight forward and educational! Thanks for doing them.

[@chrishand7079]

You're the first person I've heard in awhile mention a needle nail knot! I've learnt this knot when I first started fly fishing back in the 80's. No one I fish with have ever seen or heard of it. Very good knot as you have indicated.

[@thomasw_]

I appreciate the break down on the various line to leader connections. I have been using the needle nail knot for all of my trout, salmon and steelhead rigs due to its smoothness. I love the needle knot tutorial you guys did a few years ago, but it was based around a specific tool. Perhaps an updated tutorial on how you do the needle nail knot as a refresher -- using both monofilament and backing?

[@theLEFTY15]

I wish I had these videos when I was starting. Would’ve been a massive help. Best skill builder yet!

[@Adipper]

Nice comprehensive summary Lance, thanks.

[@jaynesjunction]

Well done Lance

[@CaltheScot]

Really informative and so well presented. Thank you.

[@The-Yotesmith]

Great job Lance. I have a request, could you do a video on Euro rod/reel versatility. I'm really interested in setting up a spare spool for my 3wt 10' specifically for drys. Keep up the great work.

[@FlyTyingMechanic88]

Great video, thanks for the tips Lance.

[@xdscottryjm7375]

Excellent presentation and great info, Lance. Regarding the multiple nymph rigs/euro rigs with droppers, what tips do you have for minimizing tangles caused by the weighted nymphs wrapping around/tangling with the main leader, etc (besides keeping the tags real short). I find I spend a lot of time untangling messes with the multi-nypmy euro set ups.

[@ph2738]

I use a Tie-Fast tool for all my nail knots, then add a tapered coating of Knot-Sense. I also use the Tie-Fast for nearly all my fly tie ons. Also works for a mono to braid knot. A good knot for droppers from a hook bend because the loop cinches tight to the bend but you later usually slide it open again.

[@LarryTullisFlyFishing]

Another great video Lance! Your experience confirms my personal preferences on rigging. I'd add one technique to triple surgeons droppers. A half-hitch can be made below the dropper knot to help the tippet stand out from the main line better and won't weaken the knot because it flips to direct pull on whichever strand has the fish (mainline or dropper). Only on double hookups may it cause problems.

[@Lanceeganflyfishing]

Thanks, Larry. I’ve definitely had issues with the half hitch weakening the tippet. Testing it, it is no doubt inferior in strength, but it does allow the tippet to stand away from the mainline a bit more. Maybe a worthwhile trade off? 🤷‍♂️

[@RoryLynott]

Pat Dorsey method. Polypropylene macrame yarn and a 1/4 to 5/16 rubber band in whatever size that you want. Soak in Rain X, let em dry out. Easier casting, more sensitive. Just say no to boober, lol

[@ph2738]

Here’s a guide joke you could use in your videos. Or out on a stream when you are talking to yourself. You say to the end of the leader tie in, “Are you getting worn out?” And the end of the leader answers, “I’m a frayed knot!”

[@olivertwist4407]

Dear Lance, thank you for yet another great video. I think it is important that you pointed towards the degeneration of fly line coating in the welded loop. Many of my fellow fishermen do hesitate to cut the loop of the > 100$ fly lines as water might get into the fly line core and make the tip of the fly line heavier impacting its ability to float. However, the very same will happen if the coating of the welded loop gets damaged by the loop of the leader. Therefore, I have one question - do you seal the your needle nail knots with super glue or UV glue?

[@Lanceeganflyfishing]

I don’t seal them with glue. They should be sealed when the knot seats. Lines floated long before welded loops were a thing. They still do 💪

[@peterfetzer7039]

In regard to the yarn style indicators, what is the best floatent to make them more buoyant?

[@RoryLynott]

Dip in Rain X. Let the wool/yarns dry out. On the water, I just use that Loon Aquel. Put a few drops on a flea comb and run the comb through the yarn. Works for me.

[@mdaley3102]

Great tutorial. I use the triple surgeons knot for tying droppers but after a couple fly changes the tag end is too short and I don’t want to keep cutting and shortening my leader. Any suggestions or is that just SOP. What’s your real opinion on tippet rings, should I give them a try. I fish for steelhead and trout, still looking for the steely I can land.

[@Lanceeganflyfishing]

Yes, kind of SOP. Tag gets short…re-tie. You can clip the tag, leave the knot in place and tie a uni knot around the line above the knot, leaving a tag for flies. This tag isn’t as strong, but if most the fish you’re catching aren’t large, the uni knot addition works great. Otherwise, cut and retie. I use tippet rings a lot for connecting lines of various diameters. Like sighter to tippet. Or butt section to 1x or 2x tippet. Then a tippet ring makes a lot of sense. I don’t use them for droppers (because they tangle more for me) but others certainly do.

[@joeborgione5477]

I prefer a nail knot for leader to line connections and typically use your suggested semi-permanent butt section. Occasionally, I run out of that butt section and need to reattach one. With any knot you lose material when you cut it off and re-tie: how far back on a typical tapered line can you go without negatively impacting the taper?

[@Lanceeganflyfishing]

Most lines have a 6” level tip allowing several re-ties before cutting into the taper of the line.

[@randyeggleston7138]

The aros is better than all of those I promise you, airlocks are second and I’m talking about use, they can splash but you’re not casting exactly where the fish are, if you’re hoping some fish are in one spot you are casting your indicator above that so if they are super skittish then I might switch to a cotton indicator, maybe but otherwise I’m using the Aros indicator hands down, there’s no kinking of the line, you never have to have to put floatent on it or false cast. They are great.

[@Lanceeganflyfishing]

Cool. I like your opinion. I still favor yarn indicators for most things. 🙌

[@RoryLynott]

Oros/Thingamabobber/Airlock. They work for most, not good for the light bites, even the tiny ones.

[@dorian8475]

@@RoryLynotthave you used the xsmall size from Oros? Is so small it almost doesn’t bother your casting, can float with a pretty heavy fly and is sensitive.

[@RoryLynott]

@dorian8475 I haven't given the xsmall a try, however I'm all ears. I'll definitely pick up a few. Thank you. The convenience of screwing down two pieces of foam on to your leader is irresistible at times, lol