Fly Tying Immersion - Getting Jiggy With It

Once this time of the year rolls around and fishing opportunities get a little tougher for me due to colder weather, and creaky ol' bones, I begin my seasonal immersion into increased time at my fly tying desk.  Actually, I do try to tie year round.  But there are times when I am more focused on fly tying than on fishing.  Mid-November through February of the following year has always been time for me to really focus on tying flies to load the empty spots in my fly boxes.  I usually do some sorting of flies in my boxes, discard a few that have seen better days, and, lay out some sort of plan to re-stock my favorite patterns in differing colors and sizes.  Yup, it is an immersion into fly tying that I love equal to my time on the water any more.

With all that said, I spent some time at the vise recently tying up some jig patterns for members of my family who don't fly fish.  Kind of like "getting Jiggy with fly tying".  I thought I would share a couple of these patterns over the next couple of posts with my readers.  Tying these patterns jig style or fly style both work.  Tell me what you think.  I am interested in all feedback.  

Let's start with a jig I called "The Hot Pink Icy".

Reel fisher folk fish Pink.  Pink is a color often overlooked on patterns while we tie at the vise.  Here is a tying recipe for the Hot Pink Icy!

 

• Jig Head - 1/16 oz. Round Jig Head - I prefer Pink

• Tail - Hot Pink Marabou approximately the length of the hook shank behind the the jig head.

• Body - Ice Dubbing Tied in a dubbing loop and wound forward to an area just short of the jig head.

• Flash - Flashabou Tinsel folded in half and tied down going rearward.  Extend to rear of Marabou tail.

• Finish - With a couple of more wraps of Ice Dubbing wrapping tightly up to back of jig head.  Whip finish knot, cut thread, and fish on!

 This particular jig is fished by the ice fisherman, winter stream fisherman, and, in lakes at ice off time in the very early Spring.  It is a Rainbow Trout favorite, Steelhead exciter, and, even a Panfish favorite when the warm water on the ponds come back to us.

Obviously, if you want to fish this pattern with a fly rod, tie it on a standard 3xlong streamer type hook and use a beadhead or a conehead to create some dipping and jigging action.

THINK PINK................................................