European Nymphing SighterA European Nymphing Sighter is a short piece of hi-vis line, straight or coiled, that is used as a strike indicator. When fished with a relatively tight line, it allows you to see strikes - including ones that are so subtle that they would not register with a floating indicator. Even though most people who use European nymphing techniques are not competition anglers, the techniques were born out of international competition, and the rules of the competitions do exert a great influence. One of the rules, that neither sinking nor floating devices may be added to the leader, is the reason why sighters are used in the first place. 
I've had a couple questions from Euro nymphers about the hi-vis level lines used in tenkara, and that has prompted me to make the TenkaraBum Hi-Vis lines available in shorter lengths. They should work nicely for making sighters.Very basically, both fishing methods rely on a long rod and light line (really just the leader) to keep as much line as possible off the water. This provides greater control over the drift of the flies and allows you to keep a tight line "in contact" with the flies. Both rely on brightly colored line to detect strikes. Although Euro nymphers tend to use a relatively short section of hi-vis line for their sighter, tenkara anglers make their entire line from hi-vis material. In my quest for the best, most visible tenkara line, I have tried many things, including bicolor lines like the kind used to make the coiled sighters used in French Nymphing. For tenkara, hi-vis fluorocarbon is clearly the best material. The greater density of fluorocarbon compared to nylon makes it much easier to cast a light line, which in turn makes it easier to keep the line off the water's surface - minimizing drag. 
For most Euro nymphing styles, the weight of the nymphs helps to turn the leader over, so fluorocarbon may not be necessary. For French nymphing, though, which uses both a longer leader and lighter flies, the greater density of fluorocarbon should give it the same advantage it does for tenkara. It is much, much easier to cast than nylon mono.Similarly, since the leader is much longer than in Czech or Polish nymphing, making the whole line from hi-vis materials allows you to see strikes even when glare or shadow makes it impossible to see a short sighter. You'll never have to search for it, you'll always know exactly where your line is, under any lighting conditions. With any of the styles, though, a European nymphing sighter made from one of the same lines used for tenkara could provide some advantages. The fluorescent orange fluorocarbon line is my favorite, and I find it the easiest to see in a wide range of lighting conditions. In the evening, as light fades and shadows lengthen, the line almost glows. I also have a modest quantity of bicolor line, which alternates between yellow and orange. Unlike the orange line, it is made of nylon rather than fluorocarbon. Like it, though, it is extremely visible. Both of the lines are available in 9' lengths so you'll have enough to make several sighters, either straight or curly.
Bicolor European nymphing sighter. Nylon, .323 mm daimeter, 9 feet. - $3.50 PaymentPayment is through Paypal but you don't need to have a Paypal account. You can use your credit card. PayPal payments will be made to chris at tenkarabum dot com. Credit card statements will read CM Stewart.ShippingShipping is $3. Most small items can be shipped together for a flat $3 charge.Return from European Nymphing Sighter to Tenkara Lines Return from European Nymphing Sighter to TenkaraBum Home Follow me on Twitter |