It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:12 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




  Page 1 of 1   [ 5 posts ] New Topic Add Reply
Author Message
PostPosted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 2:31 pm • # 1 
User avatar
Full Member

Joined: 09/17/12
Posts: 142
Location: Washington State
All strike indicators have their pros and cons. Several are a pain to cast. Yarn indicators cast well but slip. "New Zealand" yarn indicators don't slip, but $15 for a starter kit? I don't begrudge a guy making a buck with a great idea, but I can't afford foofaraw at prices like that. I found this forum post some time back about how to make your own New Zealand style strike indicators, for around $5. The inital purchase of "consumables" will last you (and your kids, buddies) a lifetime.

Items needed: #1 - Knit-Picker, $2.50 in the sewing department; #2 - roll of 2mm Pony Bead Lacing, $2.50; #3 - any water repellent yarn of suitable size/color (I've collected free skeins of Dazzleaire Antron knitting yarn and polypropylene macramé yarn for tying flies in various colors); #4 - an old clear felt pen cap to put over the handle end of the knit picker for yarn storage and to clip everything into a convenient pocket. I guess you could drill a hole through the knit picker handle to thread some heavy mono through and make a loop for clipping onto your vest/pack/what have you.

It's very easy to use. Preload ahead of time by cutting 3 to 5 pieces of the tubing about 1/8" to 1/4" long and threading onto the Knit Picker. Then, when on the stream, hook your leader/tippet with the Knit Picker at the spot you want your indicator, close the latch, and slide one of the tubing collars over the latch onto the tippet making a loop. Remove the Knit Picker and place a few strands of unbraided and combed out yarn centered lengthwise inside the loop then slide the collar up to secure the yarn in place. (The StrikeIndicator website linked to above has pictures demonstrating how to do it.)

When I'm done I can usually remove the yarn to put back into the storage cap, and put the tubing collar back onto the knit picker for reuse.


Top
  
PostPosted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 10:58 pm • # 2 
User avatar
Newbie

Joined: 04/28/19
Posts: 1
Great tip, thanks for sharing! I've been interested in this style of indicator but thought the whole system seemed overpriced.


Top
  
PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:15 pm • # 3 
User avatar
Hero Member

Joined: 05/28/18
Posts: 603
Location: Tucson , Hellazonia
Just use backing and tie a backing barrel knot coat with gink and be done with it . Pretty much free .


Top
  
PostPosted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:49 am • # 4 
User avatar
Newbie

Joined: 06/08/19
Posts: 1
Thanks for the info Brian, already have one of those latch hook devises and yarn. There just so happens to be a JoAnns 5 min from work, so will be headed there during lunch today to pickup some pony beading material.

Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using Tapatalk


Top
  
PostPosted: Fri Jun 21, 2019 6:16 pm • # 5 
User avatar
Full Member

Joined: 04/04/18
Posts: 211
Location: Idaho
I do something like this, and just use orthodontic elastics to hold it on to the line. The bands and indicator can both be reused. Works well for me. While here I'll also make a plug for the "air-lock" indicators that look like a thingamabobber but have a threaded plastic post and nut that clamp the line in place. They are easy to place, don't slip, and do not kink the leader. Best design for bobber indicators, I wish I'd thought of it first. I use them for ice fishing too.


Top
  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  

  Page 1 of 1   [ 5 posts ] New Topic Add Reply

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  


- OurBoard Support -