Recently I've been spin fishing for salmon/steelhead. Previously I'd fly fished for everything, but I hate to limit my fishing to just fly fishing (plus I got ticked off at some of the fly fishing elitists). Everyone has been talking about fishing jigs for summer-runs so I looked at the jigs that Swain's in P.A. had. They look very similiar to flies I'd fished with. Since I tie flies I'm going to make my own jigs. I just tied some up using lead eyes, but I plan on getting some of the normal lead jig hooks and tying some with that. Has anyone else done this?

~ Dr Pepper

I've tied my own jigs for the past four years now, and I got started the same way you did. The jigs are a piece of cake to tie and anyone with a rudamentary grasp of fly tying will quickly get the hang of tying up jigs. I fish for Steelhead almost exclusivley with jigs and find it an extremely enjoyable (and productive) way to fish. Good luck!

I bought a mold that came with jig hooks
so i melt down some lead and pour it in.
then i an tie it in any pattern i want when its hard.It feels better catching a fish on something that youve made!

If you can tie flys you can tie jigs. Jigs are pretty simple, either pour your own jig heads or buy the size you want and you are on your way. Gives you more options for color combos and the price is better. Good luck.

Wow I didn't know you could pour your own jig heads. I'd like to pour my own so that I could use good hooks. Where do you get jig head molds and supplies?

~ Dr Pepper

I got mine at White Elephant Sports in Spokane.They're cheap and you can use good hooks like Gaumacatchie(i dont know how to spell it).

any good tackle shop should have them!

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If you're in Potland, you can now get good hooks on jigheads from Oregon Tackle and BC Angling. Fisherman's carries Oregon Tackle, and Bill Williamson from BC Anlging will make pretty much any size, color, and hook size you want at a *very* reasonable price. BC Angling is located in the same shopping area as Fisherman's in Milwaukie Oregon.

Today I looked into buying some lead jig hooks. The only ones Swain's had were crappy thin hooks. I saw one in the package was already bent! So until I find a better source I'm going to just tie lead eyes onto Gamakatsu's for the lead jig and then tie a jig up. Anyone know of any good online sources for lead molds or already made up lead head jigs?

~ Dr Pepper

Hey Dr Pepper. So, you ever gonna sell me all that fly gear of yours??? Well, most of these guys strayed on what you asked, so I'll tell you. YES, I tie up jigs with lead eyes used for flies. In fact, on my summerrun/low water jigs I buy a gami extra strong jig hook in size 2 and tie up my hook with the lead eyes instead of a poured lead head. I will admit, I'm in process of getting around to buying another mold to pour the smaller size. It's just too much work to get the eyes on. That's for me anyways. It seems eyes on a fly go on easy, on a jig hook seem to want to turn.

I'm not sure of address, but Jann's Netcraft carries the jig molds in about any size/variety you'd want at a decent price. Also carries the lead melting pots also. I've bought a few different molds, and am looking at buying a couple more.

Hope this helps.

You might also check with Swain's to see if they carry jig molds or R & R Marine. However, if you want to buy the mold and hooks, I'd look to Cabela's; you can find them online at www.cabelas.com. or you can call 800-237-4444. Both Cabela's and Bass Pro also carry really good jig heads-- the best come with either Gamakatsu or Owner hooks. As long as you get the larger hooks sizes, you should be OK for strength. If you don't get the mold, you can also take a split shot and crimp it to the 90 degree bend in a jig hook. It's not the best solution, obviously, but if you crimp hard enough and then hit it with a bit of epoxy, you can make a credible jig head. It might be a way to get started while you're waiting for your mold.

Also check out the craft shops for "craft hair", it makes a great winging material.

Here's something else that I've been thinking about-- instead of tying a jig, use some of the smaller soft-plastic curltail grubs. Berkely makes a great looking pink and white walleye Power Grub that should kick steelie tail. Or you can cut a pink worm in half and use that. Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of time to play with this, but now that work's slowed down, I will be-- if I can get away from this fly fishing...

Good luck.

Steelheader69 I'm not going to sell you all my fly gear :p The Elwha goes fly only on August 1st. I've been using Gamakatsu fly hooks size 2 for the jigs I've tied up. For now I might just stick with tying the lead eyes on since 1/16 oz will probably be enough for the low summer flows. Once the rivers get some water in them I don't think 1/16 oz will be enough so eventually I will probably get a mold. The eyes go on a fly hook fairly easily as long as you tie them on evenly. If you tie all the thread on to one side then the lead eyes will be crooked. KJackson I will try your idea with the split shot. That sounds pretty good as long as they stay on there. With epoxy I'm sure I could get the shot to stay on. About a week ago I got a purple curltail worm thing. Before I left the Elwha the other day I threaded a hook through it just to see what it looked like in the water. I'm sure they would work good; they have lots of action. I think they would work better than a pink worm but I've never fished them both side by side to see. KJackson I see you live in Port Townsend. Have you ever tried fishing for sea-run cutts there in the saltwater? I hear it's good fishing. Thanks for all the info guys.

~ Dr Pepper

Hey Dr Pepper,
I'm emailing you my jig making system, no molds to mess with. It's lengthy to describe and I can type it off line and send it to you by email instead of trying to post it here.

Lead heads on heavy wire Gammy heads or heavy wire Eagle Claw hooks...Rainbow Jigs.

I don't mean to change the subject... but in an earlier post their was a comment about painting the jighead with nail polish. Was this a certain brand of nail polish or will any work?
Matt

Ripdatlip,

You could use lure-coat too. If anyone ever goes to the Swain's in Port Townsend go into the fishing section by the lure-coat. I spilled a container of hot pink on the floor. My hands were pink for quite a while .

~ Dr Pepper

Dr. Pepper
Another alternative to using lead for jig heads is to use solid brass beads. They come in a variety of sizes and are either nickel plated or polished brass. I use Heavy Wire Gamakatsu or extra strong Owner hooks with my jigs. The weight of the jig head can be as light as you want it to be. I like using the smaller beads that are close to 1/16th-oz in weight for summer steelhead.
Mark


www.firstcastjigs.com