Author Topic: Jigging Nymphs for trout. (Read 1457 times)

Mark Hanes · « **on:** June 22, 2010, 08:09:44 AM »

I watched my partner at the Harman Invitational really work a few fish into biting by employing this tactic. It is something that I have played around with myself as well in the past and had some success. I know there is a current movement in the competitive world with the use of competition legal Jig hook. I was giving a few flies at the Clarion Competition by Larry Hofferberth and I have been very impressed with how they catch fish.

I really like how they snag up less when used as anchor flies and they allow you to actively add movement into your flies through out the drift and quickly return to a drag free drift. Any one else use Jig Flies much and if so do you have any good patterns to share?

Chris Michels · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2010, 08:37:29 AM »

I use them. I like them. They work.

Here's a video I did of one of the patterns I use. I use it mainly as a searcher pattern. Bead head flash back hares ear tied on a jig hook work really well, as do BH soft hackle hares ears tied on a jig hook.

http://creekaddict.com/?p=1668

Brenton Greubel · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2010, 12:21:45 PM »

Mark,

I love fishing jigs on the fly rod. These flies/jigs are absolutely killer, especially in the olive/ginger color. He also makes a great micro jig version. I am not sure if they would be comp legal or not.

http://charteredwaters.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=37_52&products_id=108

I spent a day fishing a crystal clear pool to a few selective trout. Most things I threw got a sniff or two, but these jigs consistently hammered them all day.

Aaron Laing · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2010, 12:35:21 PM »

I've been intrigued with these flies for a while, but I haven't used them. Do you actually use a "jig" presentation or is it more or less the same as per the other Euro nymph style presentations?

I could see their appeal under an indicator, but I don't fish with bobbers these days.

Aaron

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2010, 12:38:18 PM »

They work great in a dropper dry setup.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2010, 01:15:33 PM »

Aaron, they work well in both situations all though they haven't exactly made it into my "confidence box." I think where they really shine, as Brenton mentioned, when you actively "jig" them through slower pools and runs where fish would otherwise ignore a dead drifted presentation.

Brenton Greubel · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2010, 03:47:43 PM »

I have had good success with them in both instances. In the pools, really short quick strips seem to be the answer. Any water with a broken surface though either put them under a float, or as Mark said a dry, and they can also be deadly. I've also had a lot of success putting them under other baitfish type patterns. They seem to attract them to the jig. I haven't used them much as anchors in a euro type setup, but I imagine they would work great there as well.

Rich Strolis · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2010, 07:05:19 AM »

Are we talking about those micro jigs for nymphs, or smaller jigs in general? I have used both, and I do like some of the micro jig nymphs for anchors at times, but I am not certain they are any more effective than a standard anchor fly on a straight hook. I have also played around quite a bit in the past 2 years with some of the larger jig hooks for smaller streamers and they can and do work pretty well in broken water/pockets etc. The nice thing about them is you can fish them on your standard floating line and hop them through the water water column, and with the minimalist amount of materials you can produce a pretty good fly.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2010, 07:59:13 AM »

I use mostly smaller stuff size 10 and smaller. Most are on comp legal hooks for me. Last year I was using small jig streamers on non comp legal hooks and they were killer at certain times.

Rich Strolis · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2010, 11:33:48 AM »

Just what is comp legal for a hook? Curious

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2010, 11:55:27 AM »

Outside of no "molded jig heads" since there is no "exposed weight" allowed I don't see where there are any restrictions. Obviously the 4.0mm bead restriction stands. I've heard rumor there's a 45% bend rule, but I don't see it in Fips and I'm guessing it might be just be a Euro National rule that's carried over. You see most "comp" hooks have a 45% bend.

Quote

ARTICLE 28: COMPETITION FLIES.
28.1. Competitors may use floating or sinking artificial flies.
28.2. Each fly must be dressed on a single hook, without limit as to size.
28.3. The length of the dressed fly will be at the discretion of the competitor.
28.4. Weighted flies are permitted, provided the weight is hidden within the dressing. A single visible bead, not more than 4 mm in its maximum dimension, is also permitted. Painting alone does not constitute dressing.

Chris Topmiller · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2010, 12:03:48 PM »

I use the knapek jig hooks and I find an oversize bead works best. I tied some 14's this morning with some flourescent 1/8" beads. 7/64 is almost too small on the jig hooks. Thoughts on that?

Chris Topmiller · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2010, 04:48:59 PM »

Man oh man, I kill a lot of threads around here. Do I have BO? Its ok, you can tell me.

Aaron Laing · « **Reply #13 on:** June 23, 2010, 05:41:18 PM »

Quote from: Chris Topmiller on June 23, 2010, 04:48:59 PM

Man oh man, I kill a lot of threads around here. Do I have BO? Its ok, you can tell me.

We didn't want to say anything, but now that you mention it...

Rich Strolis · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2010, 12:09:27 AM »

Chris,
I'm finding that for some of the smaller flies those smaller beads really aren't a problem. I think having a wide selection of sizes and weights as most of the comp guys on here will attest is a good idea. I typically tie most of my mini jigs with 3/32-1/8 beads for the most part, although I do have a few with larger beads too.