Fishing with Black Stuff

Yesterday at Roaring River (Mo.) I caught fish on Griffith's Gnats,
Elk-Hair Caddis, and Black Ants. The Black Ants were impossible to
see, so I dabbed a little indicator putty a few feet up the tippet to
give me a better visual.

I recollect that I had the same problem with tricos last year. At the
end of 9 feet of leader and 4 feet of tippet, they get awfully for me
to hard to find in the current. (Particularly since I don't always
cast as well as I should.)

I've seen ants with indicators on them, but would like to know if
anyone has a better system for fishing small black stuff in a moving
river. Where and how I fish, it seems to just disappear without a
little "helper putty" smeared on the tippet and I have virtually no
clue about where to watch for a take.

Thanks in advance,
Chuck