Friday, November 20, 2015

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................................................

15 comments:

  1. Mel pink is a great color for tying San Juan worms, especially in my neck of the woods.
    Your jig is well done.

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    1. Thank you, Alan, for the kind words on my Hot Pink Icy. That was a "custom" tie for a group that know it is very effective on their waters.
      Pink San Juan Worms should do just fine on any willing trout stream. I have not tied them in pink, so, thanks for the hint!

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  2. Gettin' jiggy right along with you Mel. I've been tying also. The first thought when I saw the Hot Pink Icy Jig was, wow, that would make a great ice fishing jig.

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    1. Howard, I am enjoying tying any more just as much as getting out on the water it seems. Really hoping to have a very good winter tying season. From what I have been told by family and friends that have used the Hot Pink Icy Jig for Ice Fishing, it is an effective color that you should have in your ice fishing kit. I don't ice fish anymore, though over the years, I have done a bunch of it.

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  3. Should be more aware of which button I hit...........
    My BlogBuddy, Mark over at www.northerncaliforniatrout.com sent along this comment and I lost it somewhere in the posting shuffle. So, I wanted to say thanks Mark. Here is his comment,
    "The Mt. Lassen Rainbows in Amador and Camanche love pink. They also love (5 lb.13 oz. on a white Crappie jig) jigs. A jig in pink, killer. If you've got a couple extra, send them my way and I'll give them a run since we're just beginning to fish downcountry."

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    1. Hi, Mark, I hope you make it back over here and read about how I messed up your comment moderation. Hope that it doesn't lose anything with the way I copied and pasted it.

      Please send me your email address. I, somehow, have lost regular contact with my email friends. I know that you moved and have changed email addresses. I just don't know what it is. Help me get re-connected and I will send a few your way!

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    2. Here is my email address for all those who want to stay connected email wise:

      4grampsmail@gmail.com

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  4. Pink catches fish, there's no doubt about that.

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    1. Rowan, I agree with comment. Pink is a trigger color at certain times on the waters I fish, too.

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  5. Yup, it's time to start reloading at the vise, isn't it. I just got here from Howard's blog where I commented and find a good transition here, Mel. Way to go. That hot pink number looks deadly. I think you're right about that color being ovelooked at the vise. I'll be interested in knowing how it works!

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    1. Good Morning, Walt, always comforting when you have the time to stop by my blog efforts. I have tied some for a few folks who think they are working just fine so that pleases me. I have not fished them at this point only tied them for others. However, as I stated in the response to RM Lytle, I believe that Hot Pink is a trigger color for fish. I will have to add it to some of my patterns.

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  6. Mel
    Nice job at the bench, and an exceptional colors for crappie. Here in the south those colors shine in the early spring, something about vibrate bright colors that triggers hits from monster crappie. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Thank you, Bill, for the kind words on my tying skills. I work at the best I can and the fish seem to oblige me so it is a win-win situation. I look forward to the day that you give in and try some tying yourself. Catching fish on your own creations is very rewarding!

      They tell me this jig works here in Colorado for Crappie also....... I don't think we have the monster size you have back there, but, a fish is a fish!

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  7. Great looking jig, Mel!! I dig it!!!
    I'm sure that would warrant some crappie and bluegill here in my area all year round!

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    1. Thank you, Justin, for the so kind response....
      I have no doubt that Pink would be a fine color for fishing Crappie and Bluegill. Sure should get their attention anyway!

      On another thought, don't know if you have any Steelhead water in your area, but, Idaho steelheaders have shown an interest in this pattern.

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