Pondering a few things regarding jig design, Actually was talking to my Dentist (an avid fly tyer and fisherman) and he has some neat ties.
Anyhow, I was looking at a display of his flies and noticed one framed display that had 10 columns and 4 rows. The more I looked, I realized that all the flies were the same except hook size and amount of material on each.
Talked to him about it and told him what I observed... He told me the smallest was a #26 and largest was a #8 and the top row was the heavily dressed fly and the bottom was the sparsely dressed version, I asked him if it made that much difference. I got an earful and gist was it makes a big difference and when you spend $$$$$$ of a trip, you better be prepared.
Seasonally, it makes a difference - early is big and sparse, late spring small and sparse, warmer weather, fuller ties and match to size of natural food.
This got me thinking about jigs and selection. I primarily work color and size and have not given a lot of thought to fullness but know that I tend to stay a bit sparse because I like the action of the sparse ties. I have some jigs that are heavy on materials and have done well with them just dont know why and have tried them at other times and zilch. My thought was just not today and be done with it. However, going forward gonna start paying a bit more attention as to when more is better and when less is better.
So does anyone with more experience have any thoughts to share?
Anyhow, I was looking at a display of his flies and noticed one framed display that had 10 columns and 4 rows. The more I looked, I realized that all the flies were the same except hook size and amount of material on each.
Talked to him about it and told him what I observed... He told me the smallest was a #26 and largest was a #8 and the top row was the heavily dressed fly and the bottom was the sparsely dressed version, I asked him if it made that much difference. I got an earful and gist was it makes a big difference and when you spend $$$$$$ of a trip, you better be prepared.
Seasonally, it makes a difference - early is big and sparse, late spring small and sparse, warmer weather, fuller ties and match to size of natural food.
This got me thinking about jigs and selection. I primarily work color and size and have not given a lot of thought to fullness but know that I tend to stay a bit sparse because I like the action of the sparse ties. I have some jigs that are heavy on materials and have done well with them just dont know why and have tried them at other times and zilch. My thought was just not today and be done with it. However, going forward gonna start paying a bit more attention as to when more is better and when less is better.
So does anyone with more experience have any thoughts to share?
