Mickalo

Hi Ray, Yes, I'd prefer the whip finishing too myself. I've practiced with then a few times. Haven't gotten really good with it, but like you, I can tie it by hand if needed, but the whip tool does a much better job, no question. Thanks for the info on the ceramic bobbin. I'll definitely take a look them. Jann's NetCraft has them pretty reasonable priced too. Mike

I just wanted to take a few moments to comment on the sponsors site J.Stockard. I've been to several fly tackle web sites over the past few months and I have to say that J.Stockard is one of the best overall sites I've come across, especially for a new tyer like myself. Their site is laid out so well, all their products have excellent descriptions and most all have very clear product images, which is really nice for a novice tyer just starting out. It really helps a lot to know what your looking at before buying it, when your not exactly sure what it is when you can't physically hold or see the product. Their email responses to some of my questions where very prompted and clear. They make your online shopping experience quiet enjoyable. I had been to their site before I found this site, as a matter of fact, they are the ones that directed me to the is forum, which I'm glad they did. Just thought I'd pass this along to any other new tyers looking for a good resource for their fly tying needs. Mike

Hi Fatman, Yea, I heard that from many other tyers. Over on the TU(tackleunderground.com) board, there's a lot of jig tyers that use that Craft Hair and swear by it. Mainly for the larger Jigs,custom spinnerbaits and Musky inline spinner. I'm a big fan of the "float & fly" method, which I assume the people over at Punisher perfected ... I think. I've snagged a lot of crappies/smallies using that technique last season So now I want to start tying my own jigs and see how well it works. Got lots of great ideas in my head, but now need to learn how to ty them and see if they'll work. Mike

I know what you mean, it is very ... very ... addictive! But a fantastic hobby and can be really relaxing. I've talked with Skip(skip48) a few times in the past. He makes some of the greatest jigs I've ever come across and passed on some great advise to a beginner. Mike

thanks for the info gang, now I can start putting together a material list. I figured on the bucktail & marabou and craft fur seems really popular with jigs. Once ya starting looking at all the neat stuff available, a guy could spend a bundle. Mike

I'm sure we have members who tie jigs, so hopefully you'll be able to make some suggestions. I'm trying to put together a materials list of some of the more commonly used materials for tying jigs for panfish, smallies, walleyes and maybe some tubes. There's seems to be SO many different materials available, hard to know where to start! What is a good list of basic materials to start out with ?? any suggestions would be much appreciated. thx's Mike

Oh .. Ok, thanks for the clarification. I've seen those half hitches in kits along with the whip tool. Mike

Just happen to be browsing through some of the threads and came across this one. Any members reside up around the N.W., Iowa area ? It seems that the Fly fishing & tying people all hale from the N.E or Easter part of the state. Was checking into any fly tying clubs or classes and they all are on the other side of the state, half a days drive ... and with the price of gas not real practical to make that drive Mike

I ordered a Griffin vise last week, should be here in the next couple of days, a Odyssey Spider vise, now working on my other tools. I managed to borrow a bobbin and a few other things from a friend to practice with for now. I was told that ceramic bobbins where mainly for using Kevlar threads. I noticed these are a bit more money then a standard bobbin. Is there a real benefit to using the ceramic bobbins over a standard one? Ah! I knew there was another thing I wanted to ask. What exactly is a "Half Hitch Tool" and how it is used? Thx's Mike

I agree and Jig tying section would be really great. I haven't come across a fly tying forum yet that has a section dedicated to strickly jig tying I do a lot of "Float & Fly" fishing here in N.W., IA and it works very well. Punisher makes some good jigs for this, but want to start making my own. I made a couple of 1/8 & 1/4oz spinnerbaits last season and what a thrill when a fish nails a lure you made from scratch! Mike

Other then the the vise, what other tools are recommend when starting out tying? I've been doing some browsing among several fly tying web sites and many offer these "kits". It seems they have a lot of tools that may or may not be needed. So I'm trying to put together a "tool list" that I would need. I'm going to be mainly tying Jigs(small and large), possible tube jigs down the road. I'm don't really do any fly fishing ... yet! ... but that may come later down the road when the budget allows. So any recommendations or a tool list would be much appreciated. th'xs Mike

Pm also sent thx's Mike

thanks Ray, that helps a lot. still have a lot to learn about the various tying materials and their usage. but thanks to people like yourself, I pick up a lot of good information. thanks again for taking time to explain Mike

please excuse my beginner's questions here, but what exactly is "Flash'N Slinky" ? and the Flexicord, this similar to a mylar tubing ? I like these tube flies, I've been looking at tying some small jigs with mylar tubing myself, to create a minnow imitation, and these look very close to what I've looking too do. I just learning to tie so these may sound like very lame questions thx's Mike

I just picked up a Griffin odyssey spider vise myself last week and it's a great vise, handles the larger hook sizes, no problems. Mike

Thanks, I got several Danville waxed 6/0 spools. Mike

Hi Dave, thanks for the welcome. I've been wanting to get into to tying for long time and now have some time to really get more into it. What you've describe in your post is close to what I'm "attempting" to do. Here is an example of a similar jig I've come across that is close to what I'm doing, it's a Punisher jig. I do alot of "Float & Fly" fishing and these seem to work quiet well I'd like to do something like this and maybe "dress" it up a bit more, similar to your jig example. Any suggestions or similar jigs examples would be kwel Mike

Hello, I am new to the forum and recently took up fly tying, mainly tying jigs. I am working on making up some small minnow jigs with Mylar tubing, jigs about 1/16-1/8oz What is the best thread to using when tying this type of tubing on jigs? thx's Mike