NEW GRONAW GRASS SHRIMP PATTERNS

[Jim Gronaw]

I have been trying to tweek some new grass shrimp jigs for fall and early winter fishing that will soon be upon us. here are a few of my latest variations...The jigs on the left are larger, 1/16th oz and the body is brown pearl core braid, with white and brown marabou for the tail...a little bigger offering in the traditional brown/olive shrimp patterns that Jeffrey had success on. The right hand side has 1/32oz jigs with the same body but filament tails from buzz bait skirts.

These guys are 1/32oz 'hackle-jig' patterns tied with the pearl core braid in chartreuse and brown, then wrapped with stiff hackle material. They sink really slow with the hackle, but are tough to cast much distance, even with 2- lb test mono. Works good below a bobber. This is as close to a 'cricket' pattern as I have tied yet.

Here are some 1/80th and 1/64th oz jigs with the filament legs and the body is sparkle braid...a flatter body wrap that can wrap tighter to the hook shaft than the core braid. I'm thinkin' ice fishing or winter open water bluegilling here. LedHed got me thinking about legs.

I used the core braid on these 1/16th oz jigs with white marabou for tails. Fall crappie, anybody? That pink really shows up in dark water.

More of the little stuff...I call the multi-legged micros 'CrazyLegs" Again, cold weather and ice fishing ideas. Anyway, I am going to be giving all of these patterns a test drive this fall and winter and I hope to have good reports of some impressive panfish. We'll see!

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HEY JIM, AAAAAAAAAAAALL your jig patterns look good to me but the 1/32 nd oz. hackle jig looks like the best one of these to me, great looking bug and wished I had thought of it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[Mark Sleeper]

Hi, where do you get the core braid,and what is the brand, Thanks Sleepy    Ps nice looking flys

[Vince Fusco]

Hey Leo, I got some answers about tying material online stores yesterday in the fly and jig tying group. I have checked out a couple already, and they blow BPS prices out of the water. Again thanks to all that responded to my question. 

[Leo Nguyen]

Thanks Jim. Will check hobby stores. Quite a few being closed down around here due the economy.

[Jim Gronaw]

Hey Leo...you would be surprised at how much stuff you can get at the local craft and hobby stores. Two of them are in my area and I buy much of my crafthair, feather items and even rubber legs from these out lets...and the materials seem to last as long or longer than the high-priced spread. I get tying thread and bobbins from BPS, and I buy jigheads just about anywhere.

Give hobby stores a shot.

[Leo Nguyen]

Very nice! Took all of the master tyers into account, include LedHead's. Will play with Jen Nay Jedi's Naybee with my leftover peacock herl. Need to get more of the synthetic legs. Man, running out of these legs pretty fast. Bass Pro don't carry all the good stuff in its fly fishing area, so, I have to visit various sites online to get more.

Jen, Greg, Jim, where do you get all your materials in bulk for cheap? BPS and stores around here are ripping us tyers off for smaller portions at a higher prices. Mike pointed out a great site www.flytyersdungeon.com being one for the legs and dubbing. Any more sites out there that any master tyer want to share?  

[dick tabbert]

You been busy Jim good looking jigs there.

[Tony Livingston]

Nice job Jim... those hackle jigs look like money to me.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

I'm already looking forward to the test results Jim.......Your talent and imagination create some great looking jigs........I'm going to try the Grass Shrimp for Crappie and Yellow Perch this Fall and Winter in Carolina as well.......