do you have any pic of the flash duck thanks Mark

Here you go Sleepy.  That's a 1/64th Shad Dart jighead.  You can use any size/shape jig you want.  Alter the colors if you want, although from what I understand, this is the classic.  I know that the gent that introduced me to this pattern likes to use dyed-chartreuse and dyed-pink duck flank.

http://bigbluegill.com/photo/20151015shaddartflashduck?context=user

My first effort at a #14 red ant. I see several things I didn't get quite right. I need a smoother transention from the back to the back bead. This photo is pretty close so these imperfections don't show as much when I look at it. I'm not sure how the Bluegill will see it.

I'm open to suggestions. 

McScruff, Thanks for the info. I'll try using dubbing. This #14 is about as small as my fat fingers will let me tie. I tied 2 more after this one and they are a lot better.

I use  glue  mixed with wtr ,I mix it on paper a few drops of glue then a fiew drops of wtr. I use a tooth pick then dab a drop on the hook and spin it to make a nice ball then another drop and spin it  like the first ball ,then use a red and black sharpie to color the balls then tie in hackle in the middle of the2 balls abt 3 wraps of hackle then whip finish I use black thread it makes a nice ant and easy too

I think I used gorilla glue  the wtr activates it.check out Gaskell glue ant pattern on you tube that will give you a better idea of what I was talking about

Mark, that's a great idea. 

Bill I think it looks good and the fish don't mind if it not perfect only you do. Your like me we want it to look perfect.

thanks Bill it is easy and makes a killer ant

Gorilla glue is the bomb. Add a small amount of water and it almost turns into a foam. Put a small amount on the front and rear keep it spinning and soon you'll have and ant body ready for color.

yes Dick it makes it easy, thanks for the reply

Bill Dungan-- bet the gills will love it buddy!     

I am with Carl - We wouldn't last long as fish; we would fight over it to be the first fish taken...

did you watch the vid I posted david

that;s one great thing about the big blue gill site;;;  everybody shares ideas;; know how- wiling to help others!!   best site on the fishing web!!

it was on you tube Gaskell glue ant pattern ,david

thanks carl I like to help, that's how I learn from help by others and great people like your self Thanks Mark

   Speaking of which.....has anyone tried the Janns acetate tying thread ??

  Description says you tie....put a couple of drops of acetone on it and it turns into a solid..... would be great for doing ants, etc.

I haven't used that yet, but I've thought about using it for dressed trebles.

I have tied a few times with regular unwaxed sewing thread when I didn't have tying thread in the color I wanted and to alleviate some concern about durability I would put clear polish on it between layers of wraps. It soaks it up and basically becomes a single solid mass.

a lot of tenkara flies are tied with sewing thread

I have not been disappointed with results when I use sewing thread. I do "snap test" to make sure it isn't too weak. I only buy red, white and black at the fly shop.

Gorilla Glue?  I can't find the Quick Set formula. I bought the only Gorilla glue I could find but it didn't seem to set up very quick. I may have used too much water. Do you guys know if I have to use the "Quick Set" formula or can I use the regular. 

I'm trying to the some ant patterns and saw this neat way to use this glue. 

Here is a link if your interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W16CmCSzIfQ

yeah that is a cool method,i only use gorilla super glue on my flies.it is a better product than the other brands in my opinion.doesn't have that white crusty residue and they claim it is flexible

Bill I can tell you it takes very little water to activate it almost a light dampening. It does take awhile to dry thats one of the downfalls but dries into a foam looking material.

Thanks Dick, I tried it again and with very little water. It's time consuming but the results are quite good. 

I'm glad it worked for you Bill. I found its not a fast process with the gorilla glue but it does work.

Here is the results with Gorilla glue. Not sure I will do anymore until I find the Quick Set formula and a rotating vice.

Wow Bill I didn't know you didn't have a rotating vice so I know you got a little work in it and I can also say it looks to be a very good tie. I can see many a gill falling pray to this ant for sure. Keepum coming my friend.

Thanks Dick. I know its just a few more days before I an start fishing.

This one's for Carl, and anyone else that ties a lot of Wooly Buggers or Crappie Jigs.

nice allan,you get a more uniform body that way and more production for sure

hhaha Allan i made one of those soon as you told me about it!  and your right! works terrific!!  now all i need is a few more bobbins! LOL

Bill Duncan;; nice job on that one buddy!! 

Marvin you will need a cheap vise,  thread,  bobbin, marabou and what ever else your going to tie with. Here is a suggestion. go through the pictures of the people in this group FLY TYING & JIG TYING and look through them. That will give you a starting point if one or more catch your eye. Some are advanced but I'm sure after a few jigs under you belt you'll be doing most of them. Anymore question don't be afraid to ask we are here to help you. There are some other groups that can offer up some pictures look around there is so much there don't be afraid to look and ask.

Marvin;; also be sure to check out some pix pages;; of Dick Tabbert;; and Allan Morgan !! excellent jig and fly tiers !!!   also be sure to get some krystal flash; rubber skirt material.  getting light weight jigs; good sources are chuck and debs;; crazy angler; janns ;; to name a few.  a new type of hook;; thats making big news is;; sickle hooks...  some are made for jigs to !

Check out; http://stores.crazyanglertackle.com/

Great materials and starter kit. Highly recommended on jigcraft.com

I was curious if any of the fly tiers here have tried any of the many fly tying UV Glues available, and if so what your experiences were. Both with the glue and the light source. Thank you

yes and they work well.shop around there are great deals if you do.some brands can be pricy.

Rob I use the UV glues but like Jim said they are pricey shop around. I really don't use it a lot just when I want an outside shell on a fly works great for that..

Follow up most final applications with CS Seat Coat UV Blast.  No light required.  Glues can be used for fast set-ups but most leave a residue.  Google UV lights to find one that meets your needs. 

For the small, buggy patterns I normally tie for Bluegills, UV Resins usually only get used to make a wingcase on nymphs, especially if I'm doing a "flashback" style, with a bit of Flashabou tied over the thorax, then the UV material applied in a drop over the Flashabou.  It acts as a lens and scatters the light reflected from the Flashabou in all directions.  I suppose it looks like a gas bubble trapped in the wingcase of an emerging insect.

UV resins really shine in bigger patterns, like Puglisi minnows and wool-head sculpins.  You can soak the liquid resin into the fibers, flatten them in a direction you want them to go, then hit it with the torch to set the resin.

Nymphs is my favorite of the sinking fly. Started 3 years ago when I was raking some weeds out and every rack full would be full of dragonfly nymphs. I made my 1st nymph from there. Got the nymph then a picture then proceed to the tying table. Made up about a dozen. Finally I got to tie one on my 2wt and 1st cast bam a hit which about took my 2 wt out of my hand. After about 25 or 30 minute in came about a 34 inch Hybrid Striper. I was sold. From there Tooty wanted a few to try and he had good luck. He said to made larger one's which I did. I found they come in all sizes. Here are the dragon fly nymphs that I made and tried. http://bigbluegill.ning.com/photo/slide18?context=user.          http://bigbluegill.ning.com/photo/box-of-large-dragonfly-nymphs?con....

I've been meaning to tie up some Mop Dragons.  Dragonfly nymphs using the micro-fiber "tails" from cleaning mitts that are all the rage amongst warm-water fly fishers, but are looked upon as coming from "the Dark Side" by a lot of Trout fly fishers.

I just recently found some big skeins (?) of micro-fiber yarn at Jo-Ann's, they have one that is a mix of cream, tan, brown, and maybe black, for about $10.  Lifetime supply right there.  Now, if I can just find some in Olive.....

Allen you may have to do some dying to get Olive.