Hellgramites

[AtticaFish]

Have been making up a few more of this pattern to re-supply my river box so figured i would do a tutorial on them while i was at it. Just be warned, this pattern can be frustrating with the 1st couple you do. once you get the tricks down though, they are not too bad to tie. I made an animated illustration of 1 of my tricks because i just couldn't figure out how to explain it, hopefully it gets the idea across.

Hellgramite Tuturial Link

They are well worth the tying time also - excellent for smallmouth and catfish in my river. I have caught some nice bluegill and carp on some of the smaller ones i have made.

 

[LedHed]

Awesome tye - those are - fish catching machines

 

[ScottV]

Nice, they look like buggers to tie.

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

Very nice AF. I've never tried to tie a hellgramite before,maybe once as a fly. I have seined a few out of the river in my day and the smallies love them. Problem is everything in the river loves them. Man,them things can pinch !!!!! I've seen a few adults durind the summer. Imagine those bad boys with wings. I took some pics of one,need to find it.

 

[Hawnjigs]

Man, that tie is as good a ringer as I've seen. Too complicated for me, but your animation might motivate me enuf to finally get some hackle to try a bugger tie.

I hope you get to throw those into a trout stream some day. Don't have to be a flyguy to do "A River Runs Thru It".

 

[StumpHunter]

Now that is a killer looking jig. Great work and nice colors.

 

[toadfrog]

Best damn job I've seen in a long long time. Wish I still had the patience to do that kind of work again. Either way I'd still be out classed by most of you guys. My hats off to your devine craftsmanship. Now that I've laid it on thick . GREAT JOB.

 

[hhawkins]

Yep, have to check out the tutorial on this critter. I know what JJ1 is talking about, nasty little things. I was swimming in the buffalo river (actually fishing with my toes, you should have seen the fish gathered around) anyway...One those hellgramites swam up from nowhere and snatched one of the little minnows hanging around. Yep, seen the jaws was not pleased of the thought that, that could of been one of my toes and yes I got out of the water......LOL!

 

[AtticaFish]

LH - They have caught a fair share of fish!

ScottV - First couple are rough, but it gets easier. When i go back and make more, the 1st is always a re-learning experience.

JJ1 - I do tie them as flies as well using a painted bead chain head as a weight to get them to them bottom. I fished some on my FR last week and had a carp hooked up that actually straightened a #8 aberdeen... and i was using a 2lb. leader!

Hawn, StumpH, Toadfrog - Thanks!

Hhawkins - They are crazy little bug, have seen them latched on and eating fish twice their size. Never got pinched by one, but can't be good.

I'll have to look if i have some other pics of the bigger jigs i have done, these are both pretty small and most that i actually find under leaves in the river are 2" - 3" long. For bigger hellgies, i usually put a base of yarn or chenille down first to make a body that matches the jig head better.

 

[Hawnjigs]

"straightened a #8 aberdeen" - I would ditch those hooks. Sickles & VMC #8 jig hooks are plenty strong & in a 1/32 head should handle nicely on your FR.

 

[Pup]

Very nice pattern and tutorial. A smallmouth bass "candy" bait to boot.

 

[jjsjigs]

Here's my hellgrammite jig pattern: