I am often asked what knot I use to attach a poly yarn indicator. I have a really quick and easy way to get the job done and I learned it from Fred Steynberg who guides out of Rhodes in the Eastern Cape Highlands. Doing it is one thing, but describing it in words is another. So I got my friend Ed Herbst to snap some shots of me going through the steps.

But first, when you buy a bunch of poly yarn from a fly store, cut up a few dozen strips about 1 cm long and a ½ cm wide. Pre-soak them in Hydrostop, let them dry over a few days then keep them stored in your vest in a partitioned container ready for use.

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Pre-prepared poly yarn strike indicator

My fly vest-sized strike indicator container where my predilection of orange yarn is evident by its relative absence!

When you want to attach a yarn indicator to the leader simply form a loop in the mono. Put your index finger and thumb into the loop from above and spread your fingers, holding the base of the loop in your other hand.

Now invert your fingers upwards, aiming to bring the pulp of your index finger to touch the pulp of your thumb and you will have made a double loop.

Holding the loops at their base, thread the poly yarn through them, fold the ends of the yarn together, hold them tight, and pull the loops closed trapping the yarn.

Trim the yarn to size with scissors.

The lovely thing about this connection is it is not actually a knot; just tight loops and you can quickly loosen them with your nails to remove the yarn should you wish to.