Thread: help with hair jigs

Can you take some pictures I'm not sure what you are talking about if not maybe someone will know what you are trying to do and they can help.

Sounds like you are trying to wrap too tight at the start. Normally with hair, I start with 2 loose wraps, adjust the hair then tighten wrap for body then finish with one wrap for the length of the body. Seal threads with thin lacquer.

Jeff, I mostly tie kiptail jigs and know exactly what you are talking about, here is how I get around that. the main thing you need to do is make sure you are not wrapping the thread directly behind the head until there is enough thread wraps on there to keep the hair from pushing back. so when I first start wrapping I will start towards the back of the thread neck then when I have some tight wraps on there I will start moving up towards the head. when tying with hair you need to wrap as hard and tight as you can without breaking the thread, and you will need to support the jighook with your free hand to keep from bending it. I also use alot of very fine monofilament thread in clear to start the jig, this stuff stretches like a rubber band and doesn't build up alot, so I can wrap 30 wraps on the hair stretching the thread the whole time, believe me it won't move after that, then I finish up with the color of choice to get a nice colored thread neck. I also use a tad of super glue to secure the hair even more before putting the colored thread on there. I use 140 and 210 denier thread when tying hair and like I said sometimes in conjunction with the mono, whatever thread you use, learn to stretch it as you wrap just shy of breaking this with give the most holding power.

I will have to give The mono a try. I am tying with 3/0 thread witch I believe is the same as 210 denier. I'm making my first two wraps loose, and I start at the back of the hook and work twords the head But still seams to.slide up alittle. What size mono do u use? Headded to cabelas today and might pick some up.

Originally Posted by jeff1979

I will have to give The mono a try. I am tying with 3/0 thread witch I believe is the same as 210 denier. I'm making my first two wraps loose, and I start at the back of the hook and work twords the head But still seams to.slide up alittle. What size mono do u use? Headded to cabelas today and might pick some up.

Not the same and 3/0 will break a lot easier than 210 denier will! Next I know it's not easy, but a good thread base and then the loose wraps to start and maybe at least one of the looser ones will be out about as far as your thread will go so it doesn't flair it too much which happens a lot with Buck tail. Actually I like a collar with no barb and just a bell shape or flair at the end of the collar. It's nice too if the collar is thin because I don't know of more than one jig head with a collar that actually weighs even close to a 1/16 true weight. I had a mold made that has these perimeters and is the only collar jig head I ever put on my digital scales that was close and most weight closer to a 1/8 than a 1/16 so the collar or no collar is a big thing if weight is important! I got these jig heads to tie kip tail on mostly, but have done other things with them too.

The tight wraps and a really good thread base are imperative when tying hair! redear had some good point and help for you as well!

Skip

Mine ain't turning out bad, just not exactly what I want. I'll try and figure how to post pics on here and post some later.

Okay - besides pictures of the collar problem, what kind of hair are you using?? When you cut the hair do you comb the underfur out? That will add a LOT of bulk to your collar, without it your collar won't be as bulky. I'll comb it out cut the hairs flush then tie in with the two loose wraps than tighten down with the third.

redear is spot-on with the thread advice. Different hairs act differently when tying in but you'll get used to.