Sighter Confusion

**THOLT** · 11-23-2009, 08:25 AM

Read a bunch of stuff on this site and others and I've seen some different view on how to use the sighter. I built a basic 9 foot leader with a 6 inch sighter built in using backing per the instructions on this site. Tried it on the Savage yesterday and had some success. My question is related to how to use the sighter. Some places I've read it should be a foot or two above the water as you gently lead the flies downstream. If this is recommended should it be hanging straight down from tip or slightly taut and at an angle downstream as you lead flies. I've also seen articles where the say the sighter should be floating on the water.

Thanks

**AaronJasper** · 11-23-2009, 08:38 AM

It's a question of how you feel comfortable using it. I lay mine on the water during certain situation and that is/was how I was taught to use it. There are different situations where it can be used either way. It's mainly up to you. If I told you that I used it X way during X situation another angler might say, I fish it X way under those same conditions. They might even use an entirely different technique. When I instruct people on this type of fishing I fish that way that I think it should be fished based on experience. Sometimes, that does mean floating the sighter. So my answer is that both people are right. Try it both ways and see what you like. This is where a trip or clinic would save you days of experimenting.

**SperryWater** · 11-23-2009, 11:28 PM

I found it to work both ways but most often have better success fishing the sighter on a taunt line at or above the water interface.

I started out using the backing sighter but then graduated to the coiled monofilament sighter which, when greased, floats better in those situations when you need to fish the sighter lying on the water.

As Aaron mentions it is a lot easier to learn how to fish a sighter from someone who has experiencing fishing one if you get the chance.

**Davyfly** · 11-24-2009, 09:36 PM

That's about it, you have to figure out what works for you.

There are some anglers that have a very acute sense of awareness and can determine the slightest indication or difference in the track of the fly, others near on need the fly yanked away before they react, and that applies also to when regular bobber indicator systems are use.

Practice make perfect,, there is no short cut to that one, you have to be on the water and fish.

As a matter of interest a while ago l told some of my customers that when drift boat fishing that indication of takes can be seen without the use of a indicator, it amount to watching the amnesia from the fly line to the water surface, but it does take control and a different system by how you add weight and how it is strung, as when a indicator is used it is the downstream effects of the surface movement that determines the drift, as here the FF relies on the fact that the fly is fishing at the right depth, and that the point of focus is the indicator.

What l would term as free drift differs, in fact it can be way more effective at times over and above indicator use.

DW

**Magnet** · 11-25-2009, 12:15 PM

DW,
So, without the indicator your clients were using a modified indicator rig and were watching the amnesia butt section?

**Davyfly** · 11-27-2009, 11:35 AM

yes, you sight fly line or amnesia butt section, more or less same as you would when wade fishing, main difference is it is a continuous line of drift Magnet.
10 and 11ft rods are way easier to work with than 9fts.

It works real well for bottom bouncing techniques.

DW

**TroutAholic** · 11-27-2009, 02:01 PM

Like others have said, experience on the water is invaluable. Eventually, you will find that you are ignoring some movements of the sighter or indicator and striking without thinking on other movements, even subtle ones, and hooking up with a fish. I have found that it becomes like a sixth sense (at least on the good days, when I am in the zone); without a thought you strike when you should, while seeming to know when certain pauses or darts of the indicator/sighter are just the flies hitting a rock. Not that I don't miss any strikes, and I certainly set the hook a lot only to find no fish there.

When I euro nymph, I always use a long leader (about 18 or 20 foot) and keep the sighter just above the surface of the water when fishing where I am fairly close to the drift, with most of the leader in the guides or on the reel, and when fishing at longer range I may or may not let the sighter float, it all depends on the situation. That's what works for me, and I am still learning and making adjustments, that will never end!

Steve