The Troutbitten Podcast: S1 Ep12 -- Tight Line to the Indicator

(From December 6, 2021) In Episode 12, my friends and I talk about nymphing tactics - specifically, how we take tight line principles and the tight line advantage over to an indicator nymphing system.
We know that with refined skills and tactics, we can often make something happen, even on slow days. And there’s really no better way to consistently fool trout - in all conditions - than to get good drifts with a nymph. These small aquatic insects are the primary food source for most trout. And with nymphing skills, we don’t need to wait for rising trout or a streamer bite.
Being a nymphing angler is a sustainable and successful approach. We can do it all year long - anywhere that trout live.
So what’s the best way to nymph?
In this episode, my friends and I dig deep into one of the best ways - a nymphing tactic that I call Tight Line to the Indicator. Because when tight line or euro nymphing fails - for a variety of reasons - the answer, most often, is to take those contact principles - that tight line advantage - and combine it with an indicator system. Because the indy allows us to do things that are simply impossible on a pure tight line.
I often make the point, or make this argument, that tight line or contact nymphing tactics can’t be beat - that using the tight line advantage is almost unarguably the best way to get great dead drifts while having control over the course of the flies and great strike detection. But what I mean by that is not just pure tight lining. Because tight line to the indicator style is also part of my system.
When it’s the best tool for the job, then putting an indy on a tight line rig is a deadly variation. I build my leader to be ready for it. The rod I carry is designed for it. Because tight line to the indicator is a problem solving approach that gets the job done when pure tight lining simply cannot.
We Cover the Following
What does this rig look like?
What is this Tight line to the indicator approach?
Why isn’t this style more popular or well-know?
What is so special about going tight line to the indy?
When do we use this style?
How to line everything up in one seam
Landing with contact and without
Indicator styles
The downsides of this approach
Gear for this approach
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Fish hard, friends.
Dom

[@jimcastillo8950]

Great discussion...... As Joe Humphreys said , the shorter the cast you have more line control.........thumbs up

[@Troutbitten]

For sure

[@Willrobinson06371]

Highly recommend the entire series on the TB website. I’m into season 3.

[@Troutbitten]

Cheers

[@mikescofield]

I'm just listening to this now. Very insightful and helpful, as always. Yesterday I found myself switching from a regular tightline to a tightline to an indicator because the lighting conditions were such that I couldn't see my sighter until it was across from me. The indicator was easier to pick up when it entered the water.

[@Troutbitten]

Good stuff

[@anthonytodd7580]

Why can’t see you talking about this

[@Troutbitten]

Because this is an audio podcast, now uploaded to UA-cam. I'm uploading the full archives of audio podcasts to the UA-cam channel because listeners have been asking for it.
Cheers.