First attempt at fly/jig tying

[polarsusd81]

So I picked up some materials and tools really cheap for fly/jig tying and figured I would give it a shot. At the price I paid, I would be stupid not to try it out. Here are a couple panfish flies and jigs I tied up. Not following any patterns or anything, but I might start a few true pattern flies to practice soon.

Olive Pond Mohair on a #14 hook.

Rooster Neck Feather on a #14 hook.

Brass bead/Rooster neck feather and Copper yarn on #8.

Pink hackle black thread on 1/32 unpainted head.

Pink 1/32 Darter with white flash and white thread.

Purple 1/32 Darter with white wool and purple flashabou

My favorite so far - Pink 1/32 jig with white/pink fade rabbit hair and pink hackle feather.

These are just some out of the first 15 or so that I tied up. Lots of stuff to play with and tweak yet, but for just getting started I am pretty pleased with the results. Let me know what you think.

[wildsmallie]

Looks like you're on the right track--when tying flies and jigs, less is usually better.

The Griffin vise you are using is a great value, no vise holds a hook any better.

[polarsusd81]

Yeah, I got a smokin deal on the vice. I paid less than 10 dollars for it which was awesome. I got a dining room table worth of materials and tools for 45 bucks. Normal prices I would have got the vice for that. I am looking forward to many more jigs and flies. I plan to do some patterned flies in the next couple days.

With how cheap the vice was, I was halfway expecting to be disappointed. Not so, that Griffin 2A is a pretty decent little jobby. Has held everything I put in it so far with ease.

[upnorth]

I am no expert, but they look good to me. I have been thinking of getting a fly tying vise for the same reasons, to tie a few flies and jigs, but I have not had time to get do much rod building lately so it would probably just collect dust.

[hydro]

Very nice work Tom! Here's my favorite panfish pattern for you to try. It uses a wrap of lead wire under the body to keep it on the bottom. This one is on a #10 hook.

[polarsusd81]

Thanks for the pic Hydro. It looks like one I might be able to do. I do not yet have a fly rod but I am looking into getting one. My uncle said he has an old one he will let me have. Right now I was considering using them on a standard spinning outfit on a split shot rig to get it out a ways and also help get it to the depth I would like. Just another thing to tinker with, but I am excited to be able to create custom works for myself along with friends and family.

My dad and uncle already are requesting I tie up some teaser tail trebles for their rapalas. The want something similar to what is on the x-raps. Should be easy enough to do.

[Nick Kuhn]

You won't regret getting a fly rod. Doesn't take long to get used to casting a fly rod. It's more of an art form than anything, start with short casts and gradually work out more line and you'll have it. You'll get a lot more action with the fly rod as you can give them a really subtle twitch. A spinning rod would probably give either no action or too much action.