Gear Test : Strike Indicator Flies

Dry fly season is upon us here in the Northwest Rockies. With fishing looking up all day long it's a good idea to put away the strike indicator and switch over to a high floating dry fly when you want to run a nymph rig. The problem is finding a fly that can suspend the type of nymph that is heavy enough to get down through fast currents quickly. I decided to run some very scientific tests on our popular indicator flies to see how much buoyancy they had.

The method was simple, hang split shot off the fly via a piece of tippet and record how long each floated for, and if they would refloat after being pushed under the surface film. I tested thirteen flies, all coated one time with Loon Aquel.. Here are the results.

13. #12 Rainy's Grand Hopper. This classic and effective foam hopper pattern was able to suspend one split shot and did not refloat. Although this is my favorite hopper pattern, I think I will pass on using it as an indicator fly.
12. #10 Crystal Stimulator. The crystal stimulator is another of my favorite dry flies for matching the stonefly hatch. This pattern was able to suspend two split shot, until submerged, at which point it would not refloat. Another great fly, but save it for the top water only presentations.
11. #10 Rubber Leg Stimulator. As with the Crystal Stimi, the rubber leg held up two split shot, but for a longer period of time (30 seconds) then its non-legged counterpart. As with the other patterns, once drowned it was no longer able to float the split shot. Maybe this one with fish well with a soft hackle trailer or a non bead head midge.
10. M's Hopper #8. This all foam pattern floats great on its own, but like the Grand Hopper lacks the surface area needed to float nymphs. It was able to suspend two split shot for 30 seconds.
9. Black Foam Carpenter Ant #10. This fly preformed almost exactly like the #10 Rubber Leg, holding two split for 30 seconds. It was able to refloat the split shot for about 5 seconds, securing its place at the ten spot.
8. Parachute Hex #8. This large hex dry fly with a large parachute wrap and wing was able to float two split shot, for 60 seconds. It was unable to refloat once submerged but is a nice high floating dry fly when first fished.
7. Chubby Chernobyl #10. The chubby was the first of the flies tested that I would want to run a bead head nymph under. This simple pattern floated two split shot for 60 seconds and was able to refloat one split shot when submerged. The foam body and high floating wings were key, and I think this is a great fly for fishing a single brass bead nymph.
6. Foam Body Stimulator #6. This large, foam body stimulator did not perform as well as I thought it would, floating 2 split shot very well for two minutes, but it was unable to refloat or suspend three split shot. Another good fly for suspending a single bead head nymph.

5. Rainy's Grand Hopper Parachute #10. Adding a parachute hackle to the classic Grand Hopper made a huge difference in floation. This pattern was able to float two split shot and refloat, or 3 split shot for about thirty seconds.
4. Black Stone Salmon Fly #8. This basic, large salmon fly pattern suspended 3 split shot for 45 seconds and was able to refloat 2 split, securing it a spot in the top five. There isn't much else to say about this one. This is a good bug for a single nymph in the early spring.
3 . Wike's Big R Bug #6. This large stonefly pattern fishes great, and was able to refloat two split shot for long periods. When a third split shot was added, it would refloat the weight for about 5 seconds. I will be using this bug often with as an indicator for san juan worms, small bead head nymphs, but I will hold off on the heavy tungsten copper john's or WMD stonefly nymphs.
2. Strike Instigator #6. Sitting at the #2 spot this single layer foam pattern produced excellent floatation. With three split shot it refloated great after being pushed under the surface film. It was able to suspend an impressive 6 split shot for an unlimited amount of time. This will be my one of my go to strike indicator flies. The rubber legs, high vis post, and excellent attractor silhouette all help the Strike Instigator sit at the #2 spot with comfort. Use this fly for suspending heavy copper johns, stonefly nymphs, or a couple of lighter bead head nymphs.
1. King Kong #6. With a triple decker foam body, rubber legs, stacks of deer hair, and a high vis foam post the King Kong easily sits on the throne ruling over all other strike indicator flies. This fly was able to refloat after being pushed underwater with an outstanding six split shot. Use this fly for heavy, deep drifting nymph rigs, or rigs with multiple tungsten beads. Fish On!