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.