Another Bug-Eyed Wooly Fishhead

Here it is. A similar jig, but without the ash-colored roving and has rainbow/pearl flash instead of red.  Used red trilobal polyester thread on the collar.

The Bug-Eyed Wooly Fishhead

I recently obtained some very nice unfinished "fish head" jig heads, so I decided to work with them this weekend. Here's what I've come up with so far, the Bug-Eyed Wooly Fishhead.

Materials:

• Low-temperature glue gun with clear glue sticks to form 3-D eyes
• Hole punch - 1/4-in. diameter
• Black acrylic paint for eye pupils
• A 3/16-ounce "fish head" jig with a 1/0 black nickel sickle hook (I think... ;) )
• UTC Ultra Thread 140 denier - olive
• Flymasters Wapsi Flashabou  Accent - red
• Clover Natural Wool Roving - moss green and ash
• Maybelline Express Nail Polish - go go green (jig head)
• Sally Hansen Hard As Nails - cardinal (gills and back of jig head)
• Devcon 2T Epoxy for topcoat

This new-to-me style of jig head inspired me to seek and try out a different type of hair.  I like the way the hair formed and looks around the hook.  It appears relatively dense.  I hope that it has good action.  Being dense, it certainly forms a nice profile.

Wool absorbs water and sinks like a rock.  So, this jig will be used for swimming and hopping.  The key here will be limited stopping time.

The 3-D eyes are new to me as well.  I crafted my own using pointers from David Jaroscak.  You can find them in this link.

Tiring Of Ugly Bugs?

Well, here are eight more.  Each is tied on a 1/8-oz. ball head jig with a #2 bronze hook.

Their elastic legs have great action in water.  Remember...bungee cord. ;)

More Ugly Bugs

Here are a couple that I tied from bungee cord rubber and thick green chenille. One has very thick black legs that are somewhat stiff and smell like new tires. :D  I'll see how it fishes...

I do like the bottom jig's flexible legs.  However, the bass will judge it... ;)

Ugly Bug 2011

Received an assist from a bungee cord to tie this jig.  The elastic made for pretty nice legs I think.  No googly eyes or silver elastic legs on this version.

Materials:

• Unpainted 1/4-oz. Northland Gum-Ball Jig with 1/0 hook
• Caron Glimmer #5 chenille - apple
• Bungee cord elastic
• Machine embroidery thread (trilobal polyester) 40-wt - electric green
• Sally Hansen Hard As Nails - cardinal
• Black and white acrylic paints for eyes
• PermaPoxy 5-Minute GP Epoxy for topcoat

This jig is one of my favorites to make/tie.

Jig Crafting Tips

Here are a couple of tips that I found useful recently.

• When nail polish thickens with age, thin it with 100% acetone nail polish remover.  Add several drops to a bottle of nail polish and then mix it before next use.  Watch air bubbles travel quickly to the surface as clear nail polish thins.  Apply it in a well-ventilated area.
• Isopropyl alcohol effectively removes indelible ink (Sharpie marker) from skin.

Burnt Pinkies and Burnt Bluebacks

Tied on 1/16-oz. ball heads with #4 red Aberdeen hooks.

Strayed away from craft fur to use some lambs wool and streamer hair.  The lambs wool has a little burnt orange in its tips which I find interesting.  Plan to try these out on the local reservoir crappie and white bass this spring.

Redfins II

Tied these on 1/8-oz. ball head jigs with #2 hooks.

Materials:

• UTC Ultra Thread 70 denier - gray brown
• Darice Craft Fur - silver and black
• Westrim Craft Fur - red
• Diamond Cosmetics Jazz Nail Polish - silver
• Black and white acrylic paints for jig eyes
• PermaPoxy 5-Minute General Purpose Epoxy for jig head topcoat