Materials and what to use them for

[dmm26]

Since I'm uber new, could there be a sticky made about all the different materials, their uses, and which species of fish you use each for?

It seems like most materials are pretty versatile and can be used for any species.
But since you guys know waaaay more than I do, help?

 

[Jig Man]

Not tryin to be smart, but you answered your own question... And your right!

 

[AllenOK]

What little bit I've noticed is a shift in tailing materials as the seasons change. I think some of the more experienced tyers are using kiptail, sparse, as the water cools. Marabou and/or craft fur in the summer? Some folks have a preference for rabbit zonkers over marabou.

Such a list, as proposed, could get VERY elaborate. I like to use materials that I have. However, if/when I see a jig that someone has tied using a different materials, I might get some of that material and try to copy it.

 

[dmm26]

I also think that it would be very elaborate!
But it would be nice to have a comprehensive sticky

I'd like to make a variety of jigs for different species, it'd be nice to have a list instead of buying different materials, tying jigs and finding they don't work....
I'm not afraid to do some research, but I also don't like wasting money

 

[AtticaFish]

KDog has a heck of a list and keep meaning to 'stick' it somewhere permanent. If he gets it copied up here or bumps the original post back up front (can't seem to find it at the moment) we'll stick it.

Started out using just about any feather i could find and lots of bucktail along with pipe cleaners instead of tying chenille. Once i started getting a little more colorful..... marabou feathers were my go to material. Now a days, could get by with kiptail, bucktail and rabbit for tail material. Caught just about every species available around me, from creek chubs to walleye, with those materials.

 

[dmm26]

I've been looking at rabbit a lot today and it seems like a pretty great material!

I've been using primarily marabou, but I'd like to diversify
Although I feel I probably don't know all the different way to manipulate materials yet either..

 

[Kdog]

AtticaFish,
Is this the list you were trying to find? Or is it one of my other ramblings????
http://www.jigcraft.com/jigcraft/showthread.php?tid=7264

Color Combinations
I have spent the last several hours looking a jig pics and marking down color combos. Thought I should share if for no other reason than to save someone the time and effort.

It looks better in spread sheet see the attachment (requires Acrobat reader) but here it is FWW. Jig head Color or colors, Eye Color, Body Color, Tail Color, Flash Used.
The first jig below would be Black Head, no eye, Black Body, Pink and Chartruese Tail, Silver Flash

pdf jig color combos.pdf (Size: 41.93 KB / Downloads: 35)

Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = pink/Chartruese, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = Yellow Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = Yellow Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Blue, Tail = Ice Blue Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Blue, Tail = Green Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Chartruese, Tail = Black, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Chartruese, Tail = Chartruese Pink, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = chartruese, Tail = chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Chartruese, Tail = Green Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Cream, Tail = Cream Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = orange, Tail = Green Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = Yellow Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = white, Tail = White Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = none, Body = Yellow/orange, Tail = Orange Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Black , Eye = White, Body = Gray, Tail = Ice Blue, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = White, Body = pink, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = White, Body = Red, Tail = yellow, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = White, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = White, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = Yellow , Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = White, Body = Yellow, Tail = Yellow brown, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = White, Body = Yellow, Tail = pink, Flash = none
Head = Black , Eye = Yellow Black, Body = Yellow Chartruese, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = Pearl
Head = Black , Eye = Yellow/Black, Body = red thread, Tail = Yellow White, Flash = Gold Krystal
Head = Blue , Eye = none, Body = Blue, Tail = Pink Ice Blue, Flash = Pearl
Head = Blue , Eye = none, Body = Blue, Tail = Blue ice blue white, Flash = Silver Krystal blue legs
Head = Blue , Eye = none, Body = Gold, Tail = Brown Blue, Flash = Silver
Head = Blue , Eye = Orange/black, Body = Black Candy, Tail = Blue/Chartruese, Flash = Silver
Head = Blue , Eye = Orange/black, Body = Light blue, Tail = Orange/Yellow, Flash = none
Head = Blue , Eye = Silver/Black, Body = Blue, Tail = Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Blue , Eye = Silver/Black, Body = Chartruese, Tail = white, Flash = none
Head = Blue , Eye = Silver/Black, Body = Silver, Tail = white, Flash = none
Head = Blue , Eye = Silver/Black, Body = Silver, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Blue , Eye = Silver/Black, Body = white, Tail = white, Flash = Silver
Head = Blue , Eye = White, Body = Yellow, Tail = Ice Blue, Flash = none
Head = Blue , Eye = white black, Body = white, Tail = Red Barred, Flash = none
Head = Blue , Eye = , Body = Yellow, Tail = Purple, Flash = none
Head = Bone , Eye = White/Black, Body = orange, Tail = orange/white, Flash = Gold
Head = Burgandy , Eye = Orange/black, Body = Purple Candy, Tail = Red/Black, Flash = Gold
Head = Chartruese , Eye = Chartruese/Black, Body = RootBeer, Tail = Red, Flash = Silver
Head = Chartruese , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = orange , Flash = Gold
Head = Chartruese , Eye = none, Body = chartruese, Tail = chartruese white, Flash = Silver
Head = Chartruese , Eye = none, Body = chartruese, Tail = pink , Flash = Silver
Head = Chartruese , Eye = none, Body = Chartruese Blue, Tail = orange, Flash = none
Head = Chartruese , Eye = Orange/black, Body = RootBeer, Tail = Red, Flash = Silver
Head = Chartruese , Eye = Red Prism, Body = RootBeer, Tail = Red, Flash = Silver
Head = Chartruese , Eye = White, Body = white , Tail = Chartruese, Flash = red Krystal
Head = Chartruese , Eye = white black, Body = Chartruese, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Chartruese , Eye = White/Black, Body = Blue Sparkle, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Chartruese/yellow , Eye = Red/Black, Body = red thread, Tail = chartruese/white, Flash = none
Head = Chrome , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Chrome , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = White , Flash = none
Head = Chrome , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = Silver Flash, Flash = none
Head = Chrome , Eye = none, Body = Chartruese, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Chrome , Eye = none, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = Gray, Flash = none
Head = Copper , Eye = none, Body = white, Tail = Black Pink, Flash = pearl flash
Head = Copper brown , Eye = White, Body = Black , Tail = White , Flash = none
Head = Dark Olive , Eye = none, Body = white, Tail = White , Flash = Silver
Head = Emerald Green , Eye = White, Body = Lime Sparkle, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Gold , Eye = none, Body = Purple sparkle, Tail = orange , Flash = none
Head = Gold , Eye = White/Black, Body = Chartruese tinsel, Tail = blue/chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Gold , Eye = White/Black, Body = olive thread, Tail = White/Olive, Flash = Gold
Head = Green , Eye = white black, Body = Green Thread, Tail = Green-Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Ice Blue , Eye = none, Body = Yellow Blue Tinsel, Tail = Yellow , Flash = none
Head = Ice Blue , Eye = none, Body = Yellow Blue Tinsel, Tail = Ice Blue, Flash = none
Head = Ice Blue , Eye = none, Body = Yellow Blue Tinsel, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Light Orange , Eye = none, Body = Tan Silver Tinsel, Tail = Ginger, Flash = none
Head = Olive , Eye = none, Body = Lt Green Black, Tail = green, Flash = Silver Gold
Head = Orange , Eye = Gold/Black, Body = Chartruese, Tail = pink, Flash = Gold
Head = Orange , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = Chartruese, Flash = Gold Krystal
Head = Orange , Eye = none, Body = Chartruese, Tail = Chartruese Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Orange , Eye = none, Body = Chartruese, Tail = Green Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Orange , Eye = none, Body = orange, Tail = Orange Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Orange , Eye = none, Body = Orange , Tail = Orange Chartruese, Flash = Silver
Head = Orange , Eye = none, Body = Orange Black, Tail = Orange Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Orange , Eye = none, Body = Orange Red, Tail = White Orange, Flash = Silver Krystal yellow legs
Head = Orange , Eye = none, Body = Silver tInsel, Tail = Orange Yellow, Flash = Silver
Head = Orange , Eye = Orange/black, Body = Chartruese, Tail = pink, Flash = Gold
Head = Orange , Eye = Red Prism, Body = Chartruese, Tail = pink, Flash = Gold
Head = Orange , Eye = Red Prism, Body = Chartruese, Tail = pink, Flash = none
Head = Orange , Eye = White, Body = white, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = red Krystal
Head = Orange , Eye = Yellow/Black, Body = Green, Tail = Yellow , Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = Pink/Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = Orange , Tail = White Pink, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = Pink and tan, Tail = pink, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = Salmon, Tail = White Sqirrel tail Pink, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = pink, Flash = Pearl
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = Yellow Pink, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = Silver/Black, Tail = Silver/Black, Flash = Blue Glow
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = white , Tail = Pink B&W Squirrel, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = Red Prism, Body = Emerald Candy, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = Red/Black, Body = Emerald Candy, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = Silver/Black, Body = Emerald Candy, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = white black, Body = Black , Tail = chartruese, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = white black, Body = Charcoal Flash, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = white black, Body = Charcoal Flash, Tail = Yellow , Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = white black, Body = Charcoal Flash, Tail = pink, Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Black, Body = Black , Tail = Chartuese/Pink, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Black, Body = chartruese thread, Tail = white chartruese, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Black, Body = Gray-Black, Tail = Pink-White, Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Black, Body = Pearl u gray o, Tail = Pale gray, Flash = pearl and silver krystal
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Black, Body = Pearl u yellow o, Tail = White/Chartruese, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Black, Body = Purple , Tail = chartruese/Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Black, Body = Silver, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Black, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = Black, Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Pink, Body = Gray-Black, Tail = White , Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Pink, Body = Gray-Black, Tail = White barred duck, Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = White/Pink, Body = Gray-Black, Tail = White gray, Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = white , Tail = White , Flash = none
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = Chartruese, Tail = Pink Chartruese , Flash = Silver Krystal Chartruese Sili
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = pink , Flash = Silver
Head = Pink , Eye = none, Body = white, Tail = Chartruese White, Flash = Silver Krystal white legs
Head = Pink Yellow , Eye = White/Black, Body = white, Tail = pink , Flash = none
Head = Red , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Red , Eye = none, Body = Brown, Tail = Red Brown, Flash = Silver
Head = Red , Eye = none, Body = chartruese, Tail = Red Chartruese, Flash = Silver
Head = Red , Eye = none, Body = Red, Tail = orange white, Flash = Silver
Head = Red , Eye = none, Body = Red, Tail = Green Squirrel tail, Flash = Silver
Head = Red , Eye = none, Body = Red, Tail = Red, Flash = none
Head = Red , Eye = none, Body = red sparkle, Tail = Red, Flash = none
Head = Red , Eye = none, Body = rootBeer, Tail = Red Natural Squirrel, Flash = Silver
Head = Red , Eye = none, Body = Silver, Tail = Red Yellow, Flash = Silver
Head = Red , Eye = Orange/black, Body = Black Candy, Tail = Chartruese/Black, Flash = none
Head = Red , Eye = Orange/black, Body = Red Orange, Tail = Chartruese Orange, Flash = Silver
Head = Red , Eye = Orange/black, Body = Red Orange, Tail = Yellow Red, Flash = Silver
Head = Red , Eye = White, Body = Blue, Tail = Medium Green , Flash = red Krystal
Head = Red , Eye = White, Body = Blue, Tail = White , Flash = none
Head = Red , Eye = White, Body = insect green, Tail = White , Flash = none
Head = Red , Eye = White, Body = Lavendar, Tail = yellow, Flash = none
Head = Red , Eye = White, Body = white, Tail = Medium Green , Flash = red Krystal
Head = Red , Eye = White/Black, Body = pink/white krystal, Tail = salmon pink white red, Flash = none
Head = Red white yellow striped , Eye = Black, Body = Fireworks, Tail = Black pink red yellow, Flash = none
Head = Ruby , Eye = none, Body = Maroon, Tail = White , Flash = Pearl
Head = Ruby , Eye = , Body = Maroon, Tail = Black Red, Flash = Silver
Head = Salmon Orange , Eye = White/Black, Body = black tinsel, Tail = Black orange, Flash = Pearl krystal
Head = Silver , Eye = none, Body = Silver, Tail = White , Flash = pearl flash
Head = Silver , Eye = none, Body = Chartruese, Tail = White , Flash = Silver
Head = Silver , Eye = none, Body = Grey White, Tail = Gray, Flash = none
Head = Silver , Eye = none, Body = Ice Blue, Tail = Green Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Silver , Eye = Silver/Black, Body = Silver Tinsel, Tail = Gray, Flash = Pearl
Head = Silver , Eye = White/Black, Body = White pink chartruese tinsel, Tail = red white , Flash = none
Head = Silver , Eye = White/Black, Body = White pink chartruese tinsel, Tail = Blue White , Flash = none
Head = Smoke Sparkle , Eye = none, Body = Black silver tinsel, Tail = Black White, Flash = Silver
Head = Tan/Gold/Green , Eye = White/Black, Body = Brown-tan bottom, Tail = rust squirrel tail, Flash = none
Head = Teal , Eye = none, Body = White black, Tail = Grey Squirrel, Flash = none
Head = Teal , Eye = Yellow Black, Body = Orange , Tail = Teal White, Flash = Silver
Head = Watermelon , Eye = White/Black, Body = white, Tail = Purple-Black/Lime, Flash = none
Head = Watermelon Sparkle , Eye = none, Body = insect green, Tail = green, Flash = Gold
Head = White , Eye = Black, Body = Chartruese, Tail = White , Flash = none
Head = White , Eye = Black, Body = Chartruese, Tail = pink, Flash = none
Head = White , Eye = Black, Body = Green, Tail = green, Flash = Silver
Head = White , Eye = Black, Body = Silver Thread, Tail = Silver Flash, Flash = none
Head = White , Eye = Black, Body = Yellow, Tail = White , Flash = Silver
Head = White , Eye = none, Body = Orange , Tail = White , Flash = Silver
Head = White , Eye = none, Body = Red, Tail = red white , Flash = none
Head = White , Eye = none, Body = red white, Tail = Red, Flash = none
Head = White , Eye = none, Body = Red-white, Tail = red white , Flash = none
Head = White , Eye = Pink, Body = Gray-Black, Tail = White , Flash = none
Head = White , Eye = Pink, Body = Gray-Black, Tail = White barred duck, Flash = none
Head = White , Eye = Pink, Body = Gray-Black, Tail = White gray, Flash = none
Head = White , Eye = Pink Black, Body = red thread, Tail = Light Blue, Flash = none
Head = White Black White , Eye = Silver/Black, Body = Silver tInsel, Tail = White gray, Flash = Silver
Head = White/red/green , Eye = none, Body = brown/yellow/red, Tail = brown, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = Black, Body = Black/Yellow, Tail = Black/Yellow, Flash = Silver
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = Black-yellow, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = Black , Tail = Black, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = Black-yellow, Tail = yellow , Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = Black-yellow, Tail = Black-yellow, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = chartruese, Tail = Chartruese – black, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = orange, Tail = yellow , Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = pink, Tail = yellow, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = pink, Tail = pink , Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = Purple sparkle, Tail = Purple – salmon, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = white, Tail = White , Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = Yellow, Tail = Yellow Purple, Flash = Silver
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = Yellow, Tail = Yellow Pink, Flash = Silver
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = Yellow, Tail = yellow , Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red Black, Body = Green Black, Tail = Yellow , Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red Black, Body = Green Black, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red Black, Body = Pink Yellow, Tail = Pink Yellow, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red Black, Body = Yellow Black, Tail = Yellow , Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red Prism, Body = Black , Tail = Yellow , Flash = Silver
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red Prism, Body = Black , Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red Prism, Body = Black , Tail = pink, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red Prism, Body = Blue, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red/Black, Body = Ice red, Tail = Chartruese blue, Flash = red flash
Head = Yellow , Eye = Red/Black, Body = Red, Tail = FL Lime/Yellow, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = white black, Body = Charcoal Flash, Tail = Chartruese, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = white black, Body = Charcoal Flash, Tail = Yellow , Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = White/Black, Body = Black , Tail = Black, Flash = none
Head = Yellow , Eye = none, Body = white, Tail = Chartruese White, Flash = Silver Krystal white sili
Head = Yellow/pink , Eye = White/Black, Body = black/white tinsel, Tail = white duck, Flash = Silver/Black[/size][/size]

 

[Kdog]

This fall I have played with wool (roving wool) and see a lot of potential, Looking at different materials is always fun, I look at the action from different materials and different ways of tying the materials.

One of the biggest variables I see is how much material is used and it is interesting to see the effect different amounts of the same material will produce. Best example I can think of is Maribou, Early on, I bought a bunch of maribou jigs, they had 3-4 feathers and were a very full jig. In the water, they have a ton of action to the point where many fish turn away. I tie ~15 barbules and get a subtle action that entices a lot more strikes,

The other factor is length of tail, typically, I try to keep a minimum length no more than 1/2" past the hook,

Overall, I would hesitate to say one material is better than others. You can vary length and amount and have some interesting variations. Back in October, I tied a half a dozen crappie jigs using 6 pieces of flash for a tail and some #8 tinsel chenille for a body. Fished on an overcast, scattered showers windy afternoon and we caught over a hundred crappie in a protected cove. 3 other boats were fishing nearby and were catching 1 fish to our 10-15. I knew the other fishermen and shared a few jigs and they were able to catch fish almost every cast. On that day, that jig performed better than I ever dreamed, In trying to analyse what worked, it was very obvious that in the water that big body looked a lot like a fat shad and the little bit of tail was just enough to make it look like the real thing

 

[dmm26]

That's a nice list!
I'm more interested in material though, and what material you'd use for which species of fish..

As I mentioned before, it didn't seem like there are any hard and fast rules, but it'd be nice for a beginner like me to have a guideline.

Example;

Zonker= bass, pike
Chenille= panfish and trout

I'm pretty much talking out my ass right there but you get what I mean at least. Lol

 

[Jig Man]

I use a lot of bou, but gotta tell ya'll, I like arctic fox...... a bunch!

 

[StumpHunter]

Agree jigman, arctic fox has a very good movement in the water. I use a lot of squirrel tail jigs to.

 

[dmm26]

Interesting...
(Strokes beard)

 

[AtticaFish]

KDog - That wasn't the exact one i was looking for...... but did the digging and found the other. Gonna move it to the tools/materials forum and stick it. But...... it doesn't have anything listed about tying material. Just EVERYTHING else you need. Shows how good my memory is.

 

[Kdog]

AF-sorry, but I could not remember posting anything on material selection/application. The getting started guides I think I actually did 2 one for casting and one for tying are IMO helpful and I think present a reasonably accurate picture of the hobby.

In general though, I find you can adjust density ie volume of material and make it do a lot of different things

 

[Jay Wirth]

Materials are not used to target specific species of fish. Often the choice is based on time/geography; for example bucktail jigs in the North East. This was a common material that worked on the fish in this part of the country. Fly patterns also this can be seen developing based on specific materials with the traditional founding patterns of the Catskill style and the flys which came out of the depression era NY.

Then you have materials that are chosen based on the size jig. I use bucktail for my walleye jigs the smallest being 1/4 but switch to calf tail for my perch jigs which are smaller.

If you only stick to following a chart you will ignore creativity and innovation...

 

[Muskygary]

One thing I love to do is go through the material at fly tying stores (on the internet) looking for new items. When it is cool out (early spring or late fall) I like different types of hairjigs. As it gets warmer I switch more to bou and other feathers that have more movement. Now jigs of all types will work through out the year, but you will come up with personal rules so that you can tie everything out there! (right now there is a lot of UV products that are new)

 

[hookup]

An old seasoned angler taught me that an ounce of biology is worth more than a ton of tackle.

Dont worry about the details, worry about putting the bait in the right place at the right time. The fish will bite.

 

[dmm26]

All words of wisdom guys!

Thanks!
I think sometimes I over think things, and then just get caught up in the details....

I'm sure I'm way better off to just tie some jigs, try em out, and see what happens

 

[dmm26]

One side question,
How are you all testing to see how your jigs look? Just a sink full of water?

Thought I had posted this question this morning, looks like it's disappeared.

 

[papaperch]

I would second what Jay has told you. Nothing wrong with copying what you like that other post. But you never want to blunt your own creativity and innovation. Some of my best work and effective jigs have come about by accident.

But if I were just starting here is a list of materials I would consider vital.

1. Chenille for bodies
2. Feathers - duck flank , marabou and some hackle.
3. Wool - roved or raw
4. flash material - various types and colors
5.Hair or Fur - wabbit ( As Elmer used to say ) , squirrel tail mostly any animal that has soft long fur or hair. I have even used shed off my wifes white pomeranian.
6. Most important an OPEN mind learn to not use these two words always & never. In fishing they rarely apply


Start off with small quantities of these materials until you find what you and the FISH like best in your area .

To further enforce what Jay is saying . In a structured debate I scored many points on my opponent one time. He noticed that I did not have any notes and perhaps was not as well prepared as himself. I retorted that if everything you know on the subject is written down perhaps your knowledge of our subject is extremely limited.

Anyway there is a ton of talent and innovation on this site. Make use of it and some day someone will want to copy something you have come up with. Which as always imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.