Jig tying

Question
I have been an avid fly tyer for years and I recently came across your article in In-Fisherman on Brown trout-Goby connection and you mentioned about tying your own jigs.  I had never thought of doing this!! I thought it would be a good way to use up some of my "extra" tying materials. Can you recommend any web sites or books that could show me different patterns. Thanks for taking the time

Answer
Hi Ken,

Unfortunately there are no books on jig tying that I know of(except the one I am in the middle of writing.  I hope to finish sometime before I die! LOL).  I just make stuff up to look like baitfish, crawfish, etc.

If you tie flies you must know many patterns that could be tied into jigs.  Basically, it's the same thing but with a lead head.  A lot of my early ideas came from fly patterns.  Wooly buggers tied on a jig can be tied very small for bluegills or on a bigger jig for Bass. I don't need to tell you about the effectiveness of a wooly bugger!

The goby has two olive saddle hackles for the tail.  The body is all olive (two shades if possible) marabou.  I tie in a few strands of gold flashabou or crystal flash along the back, just the length of the body.  On the sides right up at the collar of the jig, behind the head, I tie in two small clumps of natural or olive elk hair to simulate the large pectoral fins on a goby or sculpin. I paint the heads watermelon color (powder paint)and add a couple beady little 3-D eyes.

Good tying and good fishing

Marc