How Pop-Tops & Bozo Heads Work
Pop-Top
Indicators, unlike other indicators, not only help the fisherman detect strikes, but
more importantly provide information about how the fly/weight is reacting to the water
column below . . . .
. when the fly has achieved dead drift.
How It Works:
Because this method of rigging creates a 90 degree dropper, a fulcrum
is created that causes the indicator peg (top of indictor) to
point away from what ever position the fly/weight is located in the water column.
For example, if the indicator peg points down stream (see A)
, the fly/weight is positioned up stream which means that it is dragging on
the bottom and not in dead drift. Leader length needs to
be shortened so that the indicator peg points straight up (see
B). A vertical indicator peg means that the fly/weight is in dead
drift. Because the stream bottom is irregular, the leader length needs
to be adjusted so that the indicator peg points straight up when Pop-Top passes over the slot holding
the fish. Ideally, you will know when you have the correct leader length, when the
indicator peg is quivering slightly, which means that the weight is just barely
encountering the bottom.
Pop-Tops & Bozo Heads are easily rigged as follows: String the rubber sleeve on to the leader and move it to a position that will provide the approximate correct leader length, which is an estimate of the vertical distance from the water surface to the bottom of the stream. The bottom peg of the Pop-Top or Bozo Head is then inserted in the sleeve. The leader that protrudes from the tip at the bottom peg goes to the fly/weight. See diagram above. Make sure the end of the sleeve fits tight against the bottom.
