A Few Jig Questions

[Randall Runion]

This is my first try at beginning a thread here, so I hope I'm doing it right. 

I have read several people's comments about adding a piece of live bait to a jig. Such as putting a cricket on a jig. My question is, "Is that better than putting a cricket on a bare hook?"  

Also, is there a pattern database here somewhere where I can see pictures of jigs and read the materials list or a step-by-step of how to tie that particular pattern?  

Are there any "Swaps" going on here where, say, a dozen guys send a set of a dozen flies to a "host" who sends back everyone one each of all the other jigs submitted? That way you send in 12 of the same pattern and get back 12 different patterns. 

Or instead of that, would any of you guys who fly fish be willing to send me 3 or 4 jigs and let me send you 3 or 4 flies that are good bluegill flies?

Thanks

Randall Runion 

 

[jim cosgrove]

carl ,make my own "stick".i use bees wax fish oil ground shrimp pellets,a type of fish food ground up in a coffee grinder to a powder.i double boil like your making candy then pour it in chap stick tubes.you can get these on ebay.i mess around until yhe cooled texture is like well chapstick.makes a nice sticky scent rub.my daughter makes lip balm so i figured this would work basically the same way.i also melt toilet wax rings into the tubes for sticky dubbing wax.a lifetime supply for a couple bucks.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Im another toilet wax ring dubbing wax guy.

Haven't tried Carls Scent Paste - will make some this winter.

[carl hendrix]

yep!!  it sure is David!!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I haven't tried it yet.

[carl hendrix]

and that muddler minnow you made for me Allen is awesome!!  thanks buddy!!

[Randall Runion]

Carl, I assume that you are catching bluegills on the muddler minnow? I think I saw somewhere that we are talking about a size #12 hook? Are you tipping it with anything? I'm going to have to work on tying a muddler. I've attempted it a long time ago, (several years) but I haven't worked on one lately. The big thing to making one is spinning the deer hair.  

[dick tabbert]

Thats an art to spinning the deer hair Randall.

[Allen Morgan]

Randall, I tied one, maybe two, of my first "small" Muddlers on a typical size 12 dry fly hook.  When I did, I realized that this particular hook was WAY to short.  I had a supply of size 12, 3xl curved-shank hooks (think "hopper" hooks).  I did A BUNCH on that, until I ran out.  I went to go buy some more, and BPS was out-of-stock at that time, but had plenty of size 10, 3xl curved-shank hooks.  I've been tying some on that size as well.

My "middle size" Muddler is tied on a White River (BPS house brand) 3xl "All-purpose" fly hook.  Think a slightly beefier version of a size 6 Aberdeen Crappie hook.

My "Large size" Muddlers are tied on a 4xl, size 4, streamer hook.  I tied these monsters for LMBs, Stripers, and Hybrids.

[dick tabbert]

WOW John this looks like entirely to much work.

[John Sheehan]

Four holes almost does me in Dick LOL, still ya gotta do what ya must do!

[Jim Gronaw]

John...I was drilling through 12 inches in a lot of places last year and found that I could drill 4 holes successively and clean them out before I had to take a break. The exercise helped keep me warm as we don't have shelters in the Mason Dixon ice crowd.

I hesitate to spend much money on ice gear since we often have no ice season at all.

[jim cosgrove]

when my son tried to get me out on the ice last winter he blew when he told me at least 30 inches of ice.with a hand auger ?he said yes .like fishing down a pipe.