What do you use tinsel for?

[smalljaw]

Hey guys, I just put in a big order at Grandpa Bobs as I'm gearing up to start tying hair jigs again now that I'm caught up on bass jigs. Anyway I decided to get some things I'm not familiar with and one was gold tinsel and I want to know what kind of things you use it for. I have used silver on some small jigs I made that I had a rabbit strip tail and then I tied in the silver tinsel and wrapped it around the hook shank as an underbody and then made an outer body with dubbing, that gave it some flash even though the color was mostly dark. I'm just looking for some ideas as I am going to try to go outside my comfort zone a little, I'm even thinking of adding some spinners but for right now I'd be happy for some tinsel tips.

 

[Shoemoo]

Like as in Christmas tinsel? As cheap flashabou in tails.

 

[toadfrog]

I wouldn't really bother . It is normally pretty stiff . Not much action . I will only use it for body material or wings . Each to his own as well as his own beliefs .

 

[Shoemoo]

It's not too bad as far as action goes if you get the REALLY cheap stuff. I'm talking the $0.75 for 1000 strand boxes from Target. Fancier tinsel is made from thicker material so it's stiffer. When it's cheap, they use the thinnest possible mylar they can get away with.

 

[crappiecripplerjigs]

If you bought the spooled tinsel just use it for body material. In my experiences it wants to keep its shape and curl up. If you can keep it fairly straight it works well, but it's tough...

 

[papaperch]

Some of my uses for tinsel. If it will lay flat I like to use one piece on each side to create a flashy lateral line. Also use as body wrap under epoxy or clear cure stuff.

Sometimes like to tie in tinsel first to kind of bury it in the tail materials. That way when working jigs flash is more subdued and gives the appearance of movement.

The one thing that is great about tying your own. You do not have to use any certain material any certain way.
For instance hackle. Somebody had to be the first one to decide to use it for tail and body. Instead of just using to reverse wrap around hook on a dry fly.