Choosing the Perfect Fly Fishing Indicators: The Top 8 Picks

Best General Purpose: Oros strike indicator

The Oros Strike is an impressive new strike indicator, and personally, I believe it to be the best foam/plastic indicator available. This innovative indicator splits in half, with one half acting as the bolt and the other as the nut.

I fish Oros indicators on big, fast-moving waters. Great option when fishing heavy nymphs that just want to pull my floating line under.

I like the Oros indicator more than the competition because the leader runs through a slit in the middle of the bolt half, allowing it to pass straight through the indicator. This streamlined setup provides better balance and reduces the chances of tangling—it’s nearly impossible to tangle it.

Consequently, there is less turbulence during the cast, making it easier to cast compared to alternatives like Thingamabobbers or Airlocks, which are connected on the side. In this aspect, the Oros Strike is a definite improvement over existing option. I use to like Airlocks, but now rarely fish. Oros does the same job but better.

Furthermore, they are incredibly user-friendly. To use them, simply unscrew the two halves, thread in the line, and tighten. If you need to change the position, loosen it slightly and reposition it along the line. However, it’s worth noting that on light tippet, the indicator may start to slip over time, but this is a common issue with most indicators.

As a foam ball indicator, it is well-suited for suspending weighted nymphs in turbulent water. It also boasts excellent visibility for both the angler and the fish.

One downside is that the Oros Strike tends to splash down fairly hard, making it less ideal for casting to wary wild fish in clear conditions. But then who fishes large ball indicators in such conditions. Much better to use yarn or simply a dropper beneath a dry fly.

The foam used in the Oros Strike incorporates a biodegradable plastic additive, which supposedly allows for faster decomposition compared to traditional foam. While this is a step in the right direction, it’s important to note that foam is still plastic, and in general, is still considered more polluting than wool or cork.

In summary, the Oros Strike indicator is a game changer. Its streamlined design makes casting significantly easier compared to traditional round ball indicators. When fishing in larger bodies of water, it is undoubtedly the best ball indicator available on the market.

AIR-LOCK Strike Indicator

Air-Lock Strike Indicators were pretty revolutionary when they were released but the market has moved on.

They are made out of low-density foam. They are quick and easy to use and are a breeze to adjust. Simply unscrew the little end nut and lay the leader into the grove. Then lock everything in place by screwing the nut down tight. They come in three sizes (1/2”, 3/4”, and 1” sizes), and three colors (white, pink, and orange)

I find the lightweight foam indicators like the Air-lock to be easier to cast than the likes of a hard plastic Thingamabobber. In saying that, nothing beats a pinch of yarn. The larger sizes can be challenging to roll over in windy conditions. I also found it a bit difficult to smoothly roll cast. The nut jutting out can tangle the line at times.

It does attach to the line much more securely than the Thingmabobber, so a much better choice for fine diameter leaders because it almost never moves.

The grey locking nut assists to camouflage the indicator when floating overhead, but it is still going to spook wary wild brown trout. Stock trout rarely seem to care.

Apparently, they are now entirely biodegradable so losing one will not litter the environment with long lasting plastic, although I do find the plastic nuts are quite easy to drop and lose. If you really care about the environment it is still much better to use a cork or wool indicator.

Overall, Air Lock Strike indicators are very buoyant, reasonable to cast, and ideal for bigger water applications. They work fine, but I feel the newly released Oros indicator does the same role better.

Thingamabobber

Thingamabobbers are hard plastic strike indicators. Due to their high level of buoyancy, they are very popular with big water anglers.

They are very visible and buoyant. Perfect for fishing heavy nymphs or large streamers through fast-flowing water. The weight does impact casting and in particular roll casting and can land quite heavily making an audible splash. These are not a strike indicator for precision casting.

As casting goes, they are not the best. They can kink the line slightly and due to the slightly heavier mass, this makes them difficult to roll over in windy conditions. I have also had them slide alone when used with extra fine tippet material.

I do not recommend them when conditions are low and clear. I personally do not use them in my local rivers, because the brown trout are wary having seen too much angling pressure. They will swim a mile the moment such an indicator splashes down. But, in big, slightly cloudy water with less wary fish, they are an excellent option.

Rigging is simple. Simply thread the leader through the hole in the Thingamabobber, and accurately position it. Then secure it in place by sliding the plastic pin into the hole. Once secure it is unlikely to move unless it is used on a stiff fine diameter leader. To move the Thingamabobber simply remove the pin and reposition. It really is quite simple.

For night fishing, there is a glow in the dark Thingamabober. During the day it is clear, but at night it glows a pale green. It does require frequent recharging with a headlamp to keep it visible.

The thingamabober comes in five colors and four sizes (1/2″, 3/4″, 1”, and 1 1/4″.) The 1/2 inch side is the best for smaller water such as streams. While the 1″ and larger are popular for bigger waters and fishing heavy nymphs. I feel the 1 1/4″ is too big for most fly fishing situations but does make for a good bobber for bait anglers.

Overall, Thingamabobers offer excellent buoyancy, great visibility, and are built tough. If you just want to float a heavy fly, in turbulent water they are a great choice. They are a bit tricky to cast especially when it is windy.

Loon Biokstrike

I love the idea of putty indicators, but in practice, it does not always live up to expectations.

There are several putty indicators on the market, and Loon Biostrike is the one I use most often. It is reusable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. I believe Orvis also makes a version but it has been a while since I have seen it in stock.

First the pros. I have seen stock trout confuse putty indicators for a pellet. Stock trout quite often will raise and take the putty by mistake. Now that I think about it, Indicator putty is not that different from the ‘powerbaits’ bait anglers use while fishing.

One of my biggest complaints is that when conditions are a bit warm. The putty can come loose and end up in the river. Meaning, I have to keep reapplying it. When the water temperature is cool, it does stay on the line better. In freezing conditions, the putty becomes as hard as a rock making it impossible to use.

Application is easy. With wet fingers, roll the putty into a tight ball then pinch it anywhere on the leader. Applying it around knots makes it less likely to come off while casting. If you want to move or remove the putty simply wet your finger and peel it off. It can be stored back in the container and used again. When fishing for wary fish I try to use the smallest ball of putty I can get away with.

The putty comes in a range of high visibility colors. I have not seen it in recent years, but there used to be a glow in the dark version for night fishing. The putty floats reasonably well and can be a good indicator when fishing small dry flies. For greater floatation, simply increase the amount of putty.

Overall, the biostrike indicators are easy and quick to apply, but they can also be easy to lose. They offer decent buoyancy and visibility. I feel it is a convenient way to quickly add or remove an indicator but it is not a product I frequently use.

Palsa Pinch on Strike Indicators

These were the first indicators I ever fished, and I still keep a few in my vest. They are easy but permanent. They are also very cheap hence why they were my initial purchase. For an angler on a budget, they are a great option.

These indicators can not be more simple. Just peel them off the backing and stick them around the leader. These strike indicators are made from foam with an adhesive backing. When lake fishing, one indicator is enough to float almost any fly. When fishing faster in turbulent water multiple indicators can be applied to increase buoyancy.

In very turbulent water, at times I find them quite hard to see. They float quite low in the water and, at times even become fully submerged.

They cast well, and do not kink the line. They land relatively gently on the water making them suitable for conditions where stealth and precision are required.

They are a one-time use indicator, they can not be repositioned. The adhesive is strong, and they do last many casts before coming off. In cold conditions, they can be a bit tricky to remove, and the adhesive leaves a sticky residue on the line.

I have also read reports of these littering the banks of trout rivers. They are not biodegradable so should be taken home and disposed of properly.

I always keep a few in my fly vest, but I rarely use them.

Pinch on foam indicators are cheap and fast to apply. But they are a one time use. They are decently buoyant and reasonably visible. Good budget option.