nz-cator - Fly Foundry

NZ-CATOR : ILLUSTRATING
DESIGN THINKING
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
INDICATOR
• Buoyant
• Visible
• Easy to Adjust
• Ability to Scale Size
• Inexpensive
• Easily Available
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
INDICATOR
• Sensitive
• Minimal Effect on Casting
• Doesn’t Scare Fish
• Good Color Selection
• Doesn’t Twist or Kink Leader
• Possible to Use in Deep Water
Invented by Rudi Ferris and
widely used in NZ over a decade.
Introduced to USA market in 2012.
New Zealand “Wool Strike”
Indicator/Tool System
“Problems with this system?”
• Expensive
• Proprietary Design Elements
• Not Widely Available
• Limited Color Selection
• Difficult to Estimate Wool Needed
• Difficult to Handle When Wet
Think Creatively for Solutions
Problem: Finding something for the tool.
Design Thinking Questions
What sizes are available locally or online?
Are there different designs?
Cost effective?
Think Creatively for Solutions
Problem: Proprietary Design Elements
Clover Soft Touch steel crochet hook.
#4 (1.25mm) -or- #6 (1.00mm)
Think Creatively for Solutions
Clover Soft Touch steel crochet hook.
#4 or #6 1.25mm - 1.omm
Think Creatively for Solutions
Boye #10 or Bates #9 Crochet Hooks
1.35mm - 1.25mm
Think Creatively for Solutions
Think Creatively for Solutions
Problem: Proprietary Design Elements
Design Thinking Questions
What dimensional size of tubing works?
What material works best?
Where to get the product?
Think Creatively for Solutions
Problem: Selecting the Tubing
Answers from Experiments & Research
• Product is Silicone.
• Material is slick but “grabby”
• Used as fuel line for hobby crafts.
• 1/16” i.d. and 1/8” i.d. commonly available
• Inexpensive
Think Creatively for Solutions
Problem: Selecting the Tubing
Preferred Alternative
Tygon Versilic SPX-50 Silicone Tubing
• Available in bulk from Amazon.com
• Thinner side wall and easier to work with
• 1/16” i.d. 1/8” o.d.
• Other sizes available
Think Creatively for Solutions
Problem: What to Use in Place of the Wool?
Design Thinking Questions
•What yarn floats the best & sheds water?
• Number of yarn strands to make the
desired size of indicators?
• Where to get the product?
Think Creatively for Solutions
Problem: What to Use in Place of the Wool?
Answer: Phentex (Olefin) SlipperYarn
• Phentex is lighter than water
• Non-absorbent, though wicks water.
• Available at Amazon.com and a few online shops.
• Three strands makes the average indicator.
• Very good color selection.
Think Creatively for Solutions
Camo Indicator
• Importance of good yarn color selection
• Advisable to have a camo indicator
• Only possible if yarn has the camo colors
Think Creatively for Solutions
SUMMARY OF REDESIGN
Original
Proprietary Tool
Small Vinyl Tubing
New Zealand Wool
Redesign
Small Crochet Hook
1/16” i.d. Silicone Tubing
Phentex Yarn
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
MATERIALS LIST
• Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hook #4 or #6
-or- Boye #10 or Bates #9 Crochet Hook
• Tygon Versilic Silicone Tubing - or • Du-Bro Super Blue Silicone Fuel Tubing, Small
• Phentex (Olefin) Slipper Yarn
• Single-Edge Razor Blade
• Scissors
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Cut tubing into 1/4” lengths
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• This is the Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hook
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Slip the tubing segments onto the crochet hook.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Three tubing segments installed on hook.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Crochet hook handle has been shortened & drilled
for use on a lanyard or gear clip.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• NZ-cator Tool & tubing ready to make an indicator
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Take three strands of yarn and knot as shown.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Section of tippet on which indicator is to be mounted.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Grab the tippet with the hook in the tool.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Push the tube off tool & pull the tippet through tube.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Open up the mono loop to receive the yarn.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
• Insert yarn through loop.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
• Grab two knots and position yarn equally in loop.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
• Squeeze yarn tightly to compress.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
• Use thumb and finger to roll yarn into a compact bunch.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
• Pull silicone tube over folded and compacted yarn.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
• Cut yarn evenly with scissors to size desired.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• Make sure tube covers where tippet feeds through yarn.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
• Indicator is ready to “fluff ”.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
• Use fingers or comb to separate and fluff yarn fibers.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
ASSEMBLY STEP-BY-STEP
• A size comparison of an average indicator.
MAKING THE NZ-CATOR
• Coat lightly with floatant. Slide NZ-cator up or down
tippet as needed to adjust depth of fly.
NZ-CATOR TIPS
• Favorite Indicator Yarn Colors and Combos.
NZ-CATOR TIPS
• Favorite Indicator Yarn Colors and Combos.
NZ-CATOR TIPS
• Use more yarn strands and larger tubing for big indicators.
NZ-CATOR TIPS
• This system works best with tapered leaders.
• For thin tippets, use four strands of yarn and
increase the length of the silicone tube.
• Similarly, adjust number of yarn strands, length of
yarn, and diameter and length of tubing to meet your
needs and preferences.
• Option: trim the yarn very tight to the tube to create
a 1/4” diameter “sight bead” - position the indicator 3 ft.
from your fly to help you focus on the right location.
NZ-CATOR FAMILY
Instructional Materials
Copyright 2012 Fly Foundry
Wes Wada
FlyFoundry.com