FOAM STICK-ON STRIKE INDICATOR

I will review the foam stick-on strike indicator this month as part of my ongoing strike indicator review blog post series. Overall, I think the foam stick-on indicator is bad for most nymphing scenarios. However, it is useful strike indicator for a few fishing scenarios and my review of it is described below.

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

There is one big advantage of the foam stick-on strike indicator: it’s very small. Since it’s so small, it’s very easy to cast, and rarely spooks fish as it lands on the river’s surface or while drifting over trout. It’s also very easy to attach and remove from your leader, cheap, and a lot of them come in a single pack. Furthermore, you can easily apply several foam stick-on indicators to your leader at once which increases buoyancy and visibility.

The biggest disadvantage of the foam stick-on strike indicator is that it’s not buoyant at all. Adding the slightest bit of weight to your nymphing rig will cause this strike indicator to sink underwater. This strike indicator is also difficult to see because it is so small.

WHEN AND WHEN NOT TO USE IT

Considering the advantages and disadvantages, I would not use a foam stick-on strike indicator in fast moving water because it is difficult to see, or use it anytime your nymphing with weight. Adding weight will quickly sinks this indicator underwater – even bead head nymphs have a tendency to sink it underwater. Although this strike indicator isn’t great for most nymphing scenarios, I believe it is excellent for fishing very small dry flies on the river’s surface, or emerger flies just below the river’s surface. Since I have a difficult time seeing small sulphor or midge dry flies on the water’s surface, I’ll often attach a foam stick-on indicator to my leader a few feet above my flies to help with visibility. Very small dry flies also have a tendency to sink underwater quicker than larger dry flies, so foam stick-on indicators also help keep these flies afloat a little longer. Since foam stick –on indicators are small and won’t spook fish as they drift over trout that are elevated in the water column, it’s also excellent for fishing emergers just under the river’s surface.

More information on trout nymphing can be found in my guide book SIMPLE NYMPHING FOR TROUT IN RIVERS & STREAMS.

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