Tulip Fabric Paint Eyes

Casey Smartt's web site has great articles and videos.  This is one of my favorites.

Tulip Fabric Paint Eyes

Thought I'd post a footnote to this process that might help.

When the eyes dry, they stick to a surface and will pull any paint or coating off when removed.  This becomes a problem for "whites" of the eyes when using translucent or glitter paint that can be seen through.  If you use a container lid from something like a tub of margarine, be sure to drip the paint on the inside of the lid where it isn't coated.

This is a great tool for removing Tulip Paint Eyes from a lid.

Retractable Single-Edge Razor Scraper

Crawford-Style Pike Jig

Tied this jig in the style of Jack Crawford Jigs of yesteryear.  Used grizzly and saddle hackles to add color to the tie.  Craft fur and flashabou ends should provide the movement.

The jig weighs 1/4 of an ounce and has a 1/0 red hook.

Five-O-Diamonds Pike Jig

Tied this one to cast for muskies in my local reservoir.  Total length is a shade over six inches.  Based its name on my count of its red eyes and red beads.  Counterpart, possibly, to a famous pike spoon.

Materials:

•  Northland Gum-Ball Jig (1/4-oz) with 1/0 red hook
•  Harbor Freight Powder Paint - yellow
•  Darice Gemz for eyes - red
•  Coats & Clark Trilobal Polyester Embroidery Thread (40-wt.) - temple gold
•  Faceted beads - yellow (7) and red (3)
•  Cousin Cord Basics 7-Strand 0.3mm Beading Wire - gold
•  Coastlock snap swivel - silver
•  Number 5 diamond Colorado blade - gold
•  FeatherCraft FlyFishing Flashabou - red
• Westrim Craft Fur - red
• Yellow craft fur from bolt
•  Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy for topcoat

Rather ultralight don't you think? ;)

Tied this one just a little while ago.  Similar, but with red saddle hackles rather than red fur and flash.  Blade is a plain gold #4 Colorado.

Super Tail Spinner For Bass

This is another one of my whims.  I like its looks, but fishing it will reveal its ultimate worth.

Unsure if it will move with its hook point downward on steady retrieve.  Field testing will tell. 

Materials:

• Northland Lofty Chenille - honey color pattern
• Coats & Clark Trilobal Polyester Thread 40-wt. - olive
• Pearl and red (faceted) beads
• Cousin Cord Basics 7-Strand 0.3mm Beading Wire - silver
• Barrel swivel, split ring, and clevis - silver
• Hammered #1 Colorado and willow leaf blades - silver
• Stick-on eyes - black/white/red
• Eagle Claw 249WA-3/0 Weedless Hook
• E6000 Craft Adhesive
• Bullet Weights Rubber Grip Sinker - 1/8 ounce

Twin Spin On A Whim

Development mode shifted into high gear today after what has been the coldest and snowiest winter I've had to endure in some time.  Sat down at the bench and decided not to paint any jig heads.  Rather, I wanted to design and tie a spinnerbait, namely a twin spin.

Materials:

• Eagle Claw  249WA-3/0 Weedless Hook
• Yellow craft fur from bolt
• Herrschners Bulky Chenille #5 - purple
• Feathercraft 7/32" Painted Lead Dumbbell Eyes - yellow/black
• Michaels Bright Wonder Beads - fuschia/violet
• Two hammered #1 Colorado blades - gold
• Cousins Basics Coated Beading Wire 0.3mm, 7 strand - silver
• Barrel swivels and split rings (2 of each)
• Bullet Weights 1/8-oz. Rubber Grip Sinker
• Coats & Clark Trilobal Polyester Embroidery Thread 40-wt. - electric violet
• Danville Flymaster Plus Thread (140 denier) - fluorescent yellow

The spinnerbait's arms will bend back when the lure is retrieved.  The entire blade assembly spins beyond the hook bend.  Hopefully, this lure and similar future ties will cast and retrieve well with very light bait casting tackle.  This one is fine for light spinning as is.

Black Neon River Bass Jigs

Tied two pairs of jigs for the smallmouth bass in my local river.  Each features "Merry" eyelash yarn from Premier Yarns.

Materials:

• Harbor Freight Powder Paint - matte black
• Southern Pro Tackle, Inc. Unpainted  Wide Gap Crappie Jig - 1/8 of an ounce
• Orbit Powder Paint (clear) with extra-fine red glitter mixture
• Premier Merry Eyelash Yarn -  red globes, black ice
• Danville Flat Wax Nylon Thread (140 denier) - black
• Darice Craft Fur - black
• Hareline Dubbin, Inc. Crazy Legs - black/red tipped
• Tandy Leather Factory Suede Remnant- black

Lemon-Lime Jigs

Materials:

• Southern Pro Tackle, Inc. Unpainted  Wide Gap Crappie Jig - 1/8 of an ounce
• Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy for topcoat
• Black and white acrylic paints for eyes
• Harbor Freight Powder Paint - red
• Coats & Clark Trilobal Polyester Thread (40-wt.) - electric green, electric yellow
• Colorado blade #1 - silver
• Swivel and small split ring - silver
• Card Basics Coated Beading Wire (7 Strand, 0.3mm) - silver
• Lion Brand Fun Fur - neon green, neon yellow
• Michaels Craft Beads - coated lime
• Tandy Leather Factory Suede Remnant - black