Black Sparkle Bug

Materials:

• Wapsi Saddle Hackles (2 @ 4-6") - black
• Danville's Flat Waxed Nylon Thread (140 denier) - black
• Spirit River Real Eyes Plus (7/32") - yellow
• Caron Glimmer Yarn - black
• Bullet Weights Rubber Grip Sinker (1/16 ounce)
• Bungee cord rubber strands (3) - white/off white
• Cousin's Cord Basics 7-Strand Beading Wire (0.3mm) - black
• Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp EWG Worm Hook - 2/0

Pepper Heads & A "Flying V" Trailer

Painted and tied several "pepper"-headed jigs last weekend.  Fine black glitter mixed with a clear powder coat works well for a "black spot" effect.  Fish likely won't care, but I think that it looks interesting.  It's simple and fun to do.  All jigs weigh 1/8 of an ounce and have #2 bronze hooks.

Next up is my "Flying V" jig trailer.  It's simply a "V" cut from a piece of supple brown leather and trimmed to form a tongue that overlaps the hook point.  Two projecting appendages provide action behind the hair of the jig.  Photos follow that should show you what I mean. :)

Used craft foam to supply the trailer a little 'lift' when wet.  Originally, I thought about gluing the two pieces together and then onto the leather.  However, the idea of using needle and thread seemed appealing to me since I would be gluing with Fabri-Tac which requires thorough room ventilation.  I did not want to leave the windows open, so this is my result.  Black upholstery thread works well if you are careful with your knots.  You might notice that I pinched a corner of foam off as I cinched down on my knot. :(  All in all, I don't believe that this trailer turned out badly for my first try.  Though, the fish will let me know one way or another... ;)

Winter Fishing In Indiana (Video)

A pretty nice video presented by Brian Waldman of Big Indiana Bass. It involves spoonplugging theory and hair jigs during a recent fishing trip (December 29).

This is how it looks and works, presently, in my neck of the woods. Except when I go, I don't catch nearly as many fish. :)

Closing Out 2014

Here are some more jigs that I tied recently.  Likely, the last for 2014.

Each is tied on a 1/8-ounce ball jig with a #2 bronze hook.  Two-tone brush tapping and painting the jig heads with glitter was enjoyable.

Winter Jigs Intended for Smallmouth Bass

Here are a couple of jigs that I tied last night.  Used two types of material, Lash Max eyelash yarn and craft fur.  I hope to soak these along a river bottom over the holidays.

Jigs weigh 1/8 of an ounce and have #2 black nickel sickle hooks.

Scissors Sharpening - A Useful Article

Finally, I sharpened my favorite 10-year old cuticle scissors. This is a good method that worked without damaging them.

Proper Way to Sharpen Scissors

It's Been A While

I hadn't done anything in the way of jig tying since last September.  'Twas good to get back into it, as I decided to put a bit of concentration and effort into painting jigs with glitter topcoats.  Here are two examples of my recent work.

And...just in time for Christmas, I decided to make festive holiday jigs that just might catch a bass (or two) if cast into the water. ;)  Anyway, here's a list of materials used to create these jigs.

Materials:

• Sage/olive gray craft fur
• Rosey's Powder Coating - olive gray 85% gloss
• Orbit Powder Coating (clear) mixed with extra-fine red glitter
• Danville Flymaster Plus Thread 140 denier - red
• UTC Ultra Thread 140 denier - olive
• Coats & Clark Trilobal Polyester Embroidery Thread - olive
• Premier Yarns Merry Eyelash Yarn - red globes
• Red and green-grizzly saddle hackles
• Ball jigs weighing 1/8 of an ounce with #2 bronze hooks

Best wishes for the new year and have yourself a great holiday season.