Thursday, May 22, 2014

Trout & Panfish Jigs

An assortment of thread-neck and thread-bodied craft fur jigs tied for trout and panfish.


Used three 'new-to-me' powder paints from Rosey's Powder Coating.  Colors include:
  • Pearlescent White
  • Black Brown 80% Gloss
  • Purple Rave 90+% Gloss 
Each is tied on a 1/16-oz. ball head jig with a #4 black nickel sickle hook.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Structure Fishing For Crappie In Indiana



This is another fine video from Brian Waldman of Big Indiana Bass. Very informative. Included is a mention of the 'baby bass chartreuse' jig that I tie along with its materials list.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Spring White Bass Fishing In Indiana



Brian Waldman of Big Indiana Bass made a very nice fishing video that also contains life history information about white bass, Morone chrysops. There is a mention of one of the jigs that I tie. Honestly, I would've never used this particular jig for white bass. I sure do like his results. :)

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Simple Pike Spinnerbait

Materials:
  •  Eagle Claw 249WA-3/0 Weedless Hook
  •  Bullet Weights Rubber Grip Sinker - 1/8 ounce
  •  Coats & Clark Trilobal Polyester Embroidery Thread (40-wt.) - temple gold
  •  Faceted beads - yellow (3) and red (2)
  •  Danville Flymaster Plus Thread (140 denier) - fluorescent yellow
  •  Lion Brand Suede Yarn - scarlet
  •  Spirit River Real-Eyes Plus 7/32" Dumbbell Eyes - nickel/yellow
  •  Diamond willow leaf blade #3-1/2 - silver
  •  Ball-bearing snap swivel
  •  Saddle hackles -  yellow (6) and red (6)
Tie on the tail, body, and eyes.  When finished, pinch the end of the wire loop weedguard with needlenose pliers in order to make it thin enough to accept beads.  Slide beads over weedguard.  Attach snap swivel by spreading its split ring and threading it through the end of the loop.  Add the blade and it's ready to fish.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

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

Thursday, March 6, 2014

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.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

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.