Why tie in-line for indi fishing?

[DerrickO]

I've been reading a lot about tight-line nymphing vs. indicator nymphing... Now I know there's a time and place for both, but what I don't get is this:

Why do people recommend (when fishing two or more nymphs) tying the second nymph off the hook bend of the first when using and indicator, yet go with tying nymphs on the tag ends of surgeon's knots when tight line fishing?

Why not tie on 4" tag ends in both scenarios? Why tie off the hook bend?

Just curious.

Derrick

[catskill flyman]

Maybe it's because when indi nymphing you usually use the standard 9foot leader. so you don't want to make it longer than that because the cast would be harder with the weight two flies and an indicator. A 15 foot leader would probably difficult to cast with all that so if you tie a 8-12 inch piece of Tippet onto the bend of the hook a 10 foot leaer would be easier to cast. I prefer to tie onto the bend with indi nymphing but I have used the dropper method and they both work. Just my opinion. Anyone else?

[AaronJasper]

Welcome to TPO Derrick

The in line indicator is not in place of a floating strike indicator. It's for EU or tightlines nymphing styles. It's not taking place of you thingamabobber or yarn indicator.

About tying to the hook bend... My grandpa always said, if they wanted you to tie the line to the hook bend they would have a hole there."

[DerrickO]

My bad... I meant "In-Line" as in tying the nymphs on the same line off the hook bend... Probably not the clearest way to say it, given the other tight-line "in-line."

Yeah, I'm gonna try and stick with rigging dropper-style under my indicator. We'll see what happens.

Thanks Aaron.

Derrick

[Magnet]

Catskill,
I dont use a standard 9 ft leader when indicator nymphing.Dont use a tapered leader as it wont get your flys down properly.

[catskill flyman]

I shouldn't have said "standard" as I don't use a tapered leader either. But I usually do find myself using a leader about the length of my rod (9feet) or it dosnt cast as easy for me but I'm no champion caster either lol

[Kevin]

For years I tied off the hook bend when indicator nymphing. When I started tying, I used only barbless hooks, and kept losing the bottom fly when the knot slid off the hook bend. (Even a crimped barb is enough to keep this from happening.) To stop losing nymphs, I stopped tying off the hook bend and switched to droppers off surgeon's knots. I haven't noticed a difference in catch rates or had any trouble fishing with the droppers.

[Johnny Utah]

I fish inline indy all the time. I tie them off the eye, as Aj's grandfather did. Just makes sense. The beauty of an indy rig is it does double duty. I got zero problems fishing it tight lined when the time and place arises. I taper to my indy and then the rest is a straight piece of fluoro. I have used tags before and dont care to use them, I dont think they increase catch and i dont like the occasional birds nest you get with them. If I want a fly to have more action, I just use a perfection loop to it on. So i would think its all just preference.

[troutnut]

I have been using tippet rings lately and have not had a problem with my dropper getting wrapped around my leader as I did with the surgeons knot. Like Johnny said I too believe its preference.

[RedHookStreamer]

If you lose your patience lobbing an indicator rig complete with the indicator, split shot, fly #1 with tag, and fly #2 due to tangles, here's a good solution... Tie your flies in-line. Tie a 5-turn clinch knot on the fly closest to the indicator but leave a 24" tag, if you will. Then, tie on the bottom fly #2 with a normal knot - davy knot, clinch knot, whatever, and clip your end. The result is that you will have the upper fly on a strict knot, fairly parallel to the bottom of the river, and the hook bend and point are completely free. Downside is that this rig is tough to change the top fly on a whim, but if you have a confidence fly there, it should be a non issue. Recommend unweighted flies here.

RHS