Has anyone used fly recipes with jig heads? It would seem that minnow patterns would work very well. I have been using spinning gear for salmon – either a jig-n-bobber or a slinky weight with yarn and a corky. I want to dress up my jigs a bit. Got any advice for a newbie? Is there a source of information for jig tying tips?
Chunky,
There are no ‘limits’ to what you can tie to a hook, even if that hook is part of a jig head. It just has to please the fish and, maybe more importantly, the angler.
Just about ANY fly pattern can be, and probably has been, tied on a jig head.
Only thing to keep in mind, as a ‘basic’, is to take into account how the jig rides in the water and tie on any dressing with that in mind (don’t want your imitations to be ‘upside down’).
Otherwise, it’s up to your imagination.
Good Luck!
Buddy
Some would argue that the clouser minnow is a “jig” fly with the weighted eyes causing the fly to retreive in an erratic up and down motion. In addition to clousers I also tie several other patterns with weighted eyes as well as some on tiny 1/80 ounch jig heads. These patterns work well for me for bass and crappie, but that can be a pain (literally) to cast. If you do decide to tie on jig heads, remember to keep the weight as light as possible or casting will be no fun at all. I’d go with 1/80th oz jig heads and tie up minnow patterns using the hi-tie method with Polar Fiber synthetic fur. Email me if you have specific questions about either the materials or the hi-tie method.
Jim Smith
Thanks for the info! I tied a couple of 1/4 ounce jigs last night, and they were… interesting.
Practice makes perfect and I obviously need more practice.
I know 1/4 ounce sounds heavy, but our rivers are running a tad fast these days (understatement of the year). When fished with a bobber, anything lighter becomes a top-water lure.
Chunky,
Just to clarify, you are fishing these jigs on a spinning rod, correct?
Thanks,
Buddy
I use lots of flies tied on 1/124 Oz. jig heads and they work great, mainly nymphs nad bugger like flies
CC
Yep, I’m using spinning gear when fishing with a bobber and jig. Fly fishing sounds like more of an art form, but I don’t really know where to start. Money is also a factor. My wife claims that every fish I bring home costs $100/lb when all of my “investments” are included in the equation! She’s probably right. I can spend hours crusing sporting goods stores, and anything that sparks my imagination usually ends up in the cart.
Do you know of a relatively inexpensive way to get started with fly fishing gear? I already have a fly tying kit and a bunch of shiny stuff I’m not sure how to use correctly. I am a bargain hunter – in fact, there are a couple of squirrels in the back yard with some mighty nice tails! Given the way they eat bird seed, maybe it’s time for some return on my investment…
When I bought my home I found a nearly full box of 1/0 jig hooks in the shed.
I use them with medium to large beaded chain to make clouser style streamers. I have caught smallmouth and walleyes with these flys in the Susquehanna River.
Ed
when it comes down to it what is a jig???
it just a weighted hook. there are lots of difrent head styles perhaps you want to tye a craw you could use a stand up jig head you might omit part of the patern
like don’t add the tail tye it in reverse or how ever
you need to but most paterns are very adaptable .
and dont over look floating jig heads either
ive used phelp floaters to make some nice sliders.
just tye like you would for poppers .
the ones i tied i used peacok for legs just take a darning neadle and X then - one thorgh the center
could use hackle stem ruber what ever
then the tail could be marabue or hackle
you could also use flashabue /tinsel/crystal flash
or what ever its your fly.