My Favorite Threads

Which do you like to use?  These are the ones that I use most often.

• UTC Ultra Thread - A very good flat-waxed, nylon thread.  Like the situation where a well-fitting suit makes a person look good, it makes a good tyer an even better one and an average tyer seem pretty good.  Best for collared jigs in my opinion.
• Round Nylon - I purchased a box of several spools of old Gudebrod Gude-Wind Nylon thread which I like a lot.  I use it on jigs without collars weighing 1/8 of an ounce or more.
• Trilobal Polyester -  The 40-wt embroidery threads work well for applications involving jigs without collars.  Their color selections rival those of the fly tying thread manufacturers.  Coats & Clark makes very good ones.
• Nylon or Polyester Monofilament - I really don't know why I like it so much.  Monofilament has memory that can sometimes spring its wraps away from a hook shank.  Maintain its tension and it will stay controllable.  I like the clear and smoke-colored ones measuring  0.004 of an inch in diameter.  Coats & Clark makes both types which are readily available at most fabric, craft, and department stores.

Note:

• Rayon is used in decorative sewing thread.  It seems weak to me, so I stay away from it.  Be sure to read the spool's label when choosing a sewing thread to tie jigs. 

Hair Jigs: Crappie.com Jig Swap Submission

Painted some heads and used them to tie these for a crappie jig swap in progress at Crappie.com.

I call each of them a Fireball "Half & Half".  Each measures approximately 2" long.

Materials:

• 1/16-oz. ball head (collared) with a #4 rounded-bend hook.
• White and black acrylic paint for basecoat and eyes.
• Plasti-Kote B27 Orange Glow Enamel.
• Devcon 2T Epoxy for topcoats.
• UTC Ultra Thread (gray brown) - 70 denier.
• White and fawn-colored (cream) craft fur.
• Silver holographic tinsel.

This type of jig might work for Float-N-Fly fishing smallmouth bass if it doesn't work well for crappie.