Is that a Fly or a Jig?

[AndyLane]

A friend of mine asked me.. Is that a fly or a jig? Being a smart ass I said "Both" but it got me thinking. Growing up my definition of a fly was pretty simple. Anything that "had" to be fished on a fly rod was a fly. Anything tied on a straight hook without a head was a fly. Anything with a head or tied on a 90 degree jig hook was a jig. So I ask you what is your definition? This bead head pattern is tied on a fly hook and would be considered by most as a fly. If I tie the exact same thing on a jig hook will it be considered a jig?

 

[quivira kid]

Here is my take..... anything with lead molded onto the hook is a jig. Stuff tied on just a hook is a fly.

 

[AtticaFish]

My thought it that anything that can be thrown with spinning gear (or any gear that is thrown using the ROD instead of the LINE) falls into the jig category...... there is no absolute tho.

Either way - Black/white catches fish!

 

[Fatman]

Beadheads no matter the hook are flies - add a MOLDED lead head and then it's a jig.

 

[Jig Man]

Nice tye and a fish catcher for sure... But to me it's a fly.

 

[papaperch]

For me it is super simple. I only have two classifications. They catch fish - they don't catch fish. Everything else I leave up to the experts.

I will use any legal method to catch them. If I had my druthers I would druther catch them on jigs. Will use live bait though if fish demand it.

Believe it or not been fly fishing and actually seen guys refuse to use a wet fly. Even though the fish were not hitting dry flies. Asked my grandfather why. He explained that the " elite " of fly fishing would only fish dry flies. Then the elite of the elite would only cast dry flies with bamboo fly rods..

Guys are arguing now about wether the " gummy minnow " is a fly or not. Some refuse to use them regardless of effectiveness.

Thats why I keep it simple. I go fishing to enjoy it not debate. Politics give me enough debate for 2 men

 

[StumpHunter]

For me it is super simple. I only have two classifications. They catch fish - they don't catch fish. Everything else I leave up to the experts.

I will use any legal method to catch them. If I had my druthers I would druther catch them on jigs. Will use live bait though if fish demand it.

Believe it or not been fly fishing and actually seen guys refuse to use a wet fly. Even though the fish were not hitting dry flies. Asked my grandfather why. He explained that the " elite " of fly fishing would only fish dry flies. Then the elite of the elite would only cast dry flies with bamboo fly rods..

Guys are arguing now about wether the " gummy minnow " is a fly or not. Some refuse to use them regardless of effectiveness.

Thats why I keep it simple. I go fishing to enjoy it not debate. Politics give me enough debate for 2 men

I think you covered it well, heck I like to fish for the fun of it.

 

[Fatman]

Bravo Perch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!