The very first strike indicator I bought and used was a Palsa pinch-on float. The guy behind the counter at the fly shop said they were the best, and I took his advise seriously. For what was probably a decade, anytime a fly presentation required an indicator I squeezed on a Palsa. While they may not be best by objective standards, they’re simple and they work.
What is a Palsa? They’re a figure-eight shaped foam piece; one side has an adhesive and the other has a colored coating. You pinch the eight together, forming a circle, over your leader. You can’t reuse them, but they float as high as any other indicator. They also are less wind resistant than many other high-riding indicators, not being as problematic to cast.
Today, there are a lot of exciting and fancy indicators out there. Some work really well. But I always carry a small sleeve of Palsas in my fly fishing gear. Here are five things to know about Palsas:
Uses
For over ten years I used Palsa indicators exclusively. I swore by the little foam dots (in orange). They work on single nymphs, nymph rigs, and even as a location aid for small dry flies. They work on slow and calm or fast and choppy water. But ideally, you’ll employ a Palsa on a single nymph rig in water that is flowing at a moderate pace. These days I’ll use something more bulky for complicated rigs, something more finesse for calm water, and something higher floating for intense riffles.
Positioning
Palsas will stay put remarkably well. It takes fine tippet and a lot of casting to get these indicators to slide. If you really want them to stay put? Snip your leader, tie a length of tippet on that matches the depth you want your drift to achieve, and put the Palsa on above the knot. The foam won’t move.
Removal
If you utilize the positioning tip above, you can remove a Palsa by forcing it over the knot. Even a small surgeon’s loop is big enough to break the adhesive and allow you to pry the halves apart. Especially on thicker tippet, be sure to get any lingering residue off your leader.
Trimming
Traditionally, Palsas were round. Similar products, and other designs from the new parent company, have chosen a square (not a fan) or egg (very good) shape. If fishing slow, clear, or skinny water, scissors or scissor forceps can be employed to cut an indicator in half. The result will be a more delicate landing, a more subtle profile, and two indicators you can use.
Double
There isn’t a law (that I am aware of) that limits the number of indicators you can use. If you’re having a difficult time figuring out drift, drag, or currents in general, add another strike indicator 2-3 feet above another one. This is a quick way to add buoyancy, but also will help you determine when to mend and maybe even where to cast. Of course, you get more surface tension on your pick up – but that shouldn’t be impossible to mitigate with a little more umph as you begin your case.
There are a lot of other pinch-on foam indicators out there. And while Palsa has been around since the mid-80s, they are now owned by Wapsi. That means you’re getting very similar products if you buy anything in the Palsa or Lightning Strike lines.