From one tying newbie to another (others)

[NeonMoon]

After looking at this particular board, I thought it was pretty cool seeing how these guys tied their own jigs, and the icing on the cake was seeing/hearing them catching fish on their own jigs. I have a fair amount of spare time, and though I don't get to fish as often as I'd like, I wanted to tie my own jigs and catch fish on them. Only reason for mentioning all that is, that's what brought me here........

I ordered the Advanced Kit from Cabelas, and have been more than pleased with it. Yes there are items I won't use, yes it's cheap imported stuff, but it was cheap ($30) and I'll not be running production numbers, so I don't see being in any hurry to replace any of it anytime soon. I did buy 4 additional bobbins.

I've been tying less than 2 weeks, but thought I'd share what I've learned up 'til this point.

1- Read old posts (I read most of the 150 pages here that had titles that caught my interest in learning), look at pics, check-out the stickies at the top of the main page, and watch videos on YouTube.......before asking questions, or trying to tie your 1st jig.

Reason for my saying this is there are many guys here who are more than willing to help and offer advice from their experience. I'd bet a dollar to a dime that not one of them would deny offering assistance to anyone. However I'm also sure it has to get old answering the same question several times, something all us newbies are known for :o This site also has a search function, so try answering your own question if at all possible, or see if it's been asked before.

2- When ordering materials, order 3 times what you had in mind. It will save you time and money because you WILL be ordering more. I was warned this is an addicting hobby, and they were right. It doesn't take long to burn through "singles" of items, and you'll end-up paying a minimum shipping charge, and it probably wouldnt have cost any extra (or very little) to add some extra stuff to your initial order, most is very light weight stuff (and not that expensive).

3- Start-off buying "common" colors of maribou and chennile, fluorescents, pink, chartruse, orange. Look at pics of what these guys are tying, but save buying less common colors for when you get more experienced. Buy at least 300 jig heads, lol...you'll go through them quicker than you think, and 300 is only $21. I've already given quite a few away (and asked for pics of catches in return Thumbs Up). Ship or Ship (I believe) wrote that you'll tie 50 ugly ones in the process of learning...I can vouch for that, lol. I bought some hackle, but honestly haven't used much, I just like the look of maribou (YMMV).

4- Being a newb, I'm tying mostly maribou (I think it;s easiest to start with). I don't have a lot of dexterity in my hands, and found it nearly impossible to trim the maribou to it's finished length, then lay in place behind the jig head, and wrap. So I use longer pieces, hold it in-place, start a few wraps, and see how it looks. If it's too long, I can pull it back (towards the head) a bit, and then trim the excess. This may not be the "proper" way to do it, but it's the best way for me, otherwise I'd be dropping 1/2 of the material before ever getting it wrapped.

5- I was having trouble wrapping chennile. I was leaving it on the card as to not have any waste (I could trim it off exactly where I needed), but it was awkward for me, so I determined the length I needed, and can "measure" the chennile by matching it to (just short of) the length of my sissors. This gives me an extra 1/4-1/2" to trim-off. I can live with that. I clip my hackle pliers to the end of the chanille to use as a "handle" for wrapping. I've got problems with my hands (don't work as good as they used to) and am a fumble-fingers. I was having trouble trying to hold onto the end of the chenille. The hackle pliers solved that, plus the weight of them keeps the chennile hanging straight down (out of the way).

6-I found that using the 210 thread made a huge difference when it came time to tighten things down. I'll not be using anything else.

7- I'd tried numerous times to "get it right" when it came time to "cement" the thread in place behind the head, at least when I practiced tying jigs and hiding the thread between the head and chennile. Again, having fumbly fingers and being blind as a bat up close are probably my main problems. I'd end-up soaking the "mix" (SH & thiner) into all the material on the jig. I tried several times and several ways....couldn't do it.

So, once I initially tie the chennile down (stopping just short of straight above the hook point), I clip my hackle pliers on the end of the chennile, and give the body a light brush of SH, and put a pretty good "drop" where the head will meat the chennile. I quickly wrap the chennile, and tie things off (between the chennile and head). My way of thinking is...I'm "setting" the thread into the SH, which is still wet. Once it dries, my thread has dried into it, so I can't really see the difference of doing it this way, or putting a "dab" (which I can't seem to do) on the spot. I'm probably getting a better grip from the drop of SH anyway.

8- I live in a cramped space (RV), and set by a window (at the table) to tie. It doesn't take much of a breeze at all to have pieces of maribou floating all over the place. I found a left-ofer piece of thin carpet today, (cut a 24"X24" square) and laid it on the table and tie on top of it. It helps to "catch" thin pieces of maribou and trap them as opposed to having them floating around. I can hit it with the vaccum when it gets loaded-up, or just cut a new piece and rotate them.

9- I just keep all my materials in a plastic tote. I bought 3 of those "stackers" that fit into a 5 gallon bucket to keep my tying tools, SH, jig heads, etc. in, again simply due to space constraints (and not having room for a dedicated tying area).

10- All this I've written is strictly the opinion of this tying newbie. So far it's just what works best for me. I'll take this time again to thank those here who offer their help to those like me. I hope someday I can return the help. I've been having a lot of fun tying, and the only thing that could top that is catching some nice slabs on the jigs I've tied. It was told to me, and I'll pass it along....if you get into tying, you WILL become addicted to it!


You have been warned! Rofl

[PBUG2009]

Sounds like you hit everything right on the head!!!!

[Crappiehappy]

Very well written Neon..... Hands Clapping

[skiptomylu]

Looks like you have learned a lot. The biggest thing is the most will get addicted to this and it's just a fact of this hobby so they can count on it. I do think most buys think we are just saying that, but they soon find out.

Also learned a ver important thing is you can't have any wind, from a window or fan when tying marabou or you will have a monster mess every time, LOL!

Good Post,

Skip

[Len]

Looks like you have been doing alot of research NeonMoon and it only gets better.I blame my addiction to this hobby on Skip and Ship.LOL!! When I joined this website in 2004 they probably were the two that I learned the most from and now this site is full of information from great people willing to help.I would always look at posts by Skip and Ship and think I can never do that but with practice and great advise I did.It is a great feeling when you catch fish on something you have made.

[radtexan]

Well written piece Neon...That should really help some of the newer tyers !Thumbs Up

[Crappie snatcha]

Thanks neon for pointing out the fact I was being lazy and not doing research and I learned alot from what you have just written and for sure skip and ship make you strive to be better and thanks to all for all the knowledge you have and will give me at any given time thanks to all

[Redman]

NIcely Done. Well written. There are many truths that you have spoken. Most of us old timers are more than will to lend a helping hand. There are a number of super guys on the board that bend over backwards to get you to do it right. Most of us want you to be successful. Not many places that you can go and have people be that positive.

My Father told me when I was young that there were two ways to learn. One from others mistake and Two from my own. I found out that it was easier to learn from others mistakes than it was from mine. Now I have made every mistake there is at least once most twice and a few three times. I would rather that you not make any of the mistakes that I made once. Learn good habits, have good technique, Pay attention to detail. Now there is a good road to success regardless of age.

Keep practicing , pay attention, learn from our wisdom. sooner than you think you will be answering the same question that we do time after time. And be glad to have imparted this knowledge to a new tier and addict like yourself.

All the Best

Redman

[NeonMoon]

Sometimes I regret making posts like that because I'm afraid it'll be misunderstood and I'll come-off sounding like a turd. I'm about as green as a newbie gets, and just wanted to offer my opinions as just that, a newb.

Crappie Snatcha, wasn't my intention to call anyone "lazy", just saying there's a lot of great info in the old posts. Tying your own jigs isn't as easy as going to SprawlMart and buying them, so I doubt lazy has anything to do with it. Many just aren't aware of the search function most boards have.

Because I'm also pretty new to this site, by my mention of Skip & Ship (just because they're the biggest posters), I'm sure I left many other helpful members out, so my apoligies for that. That said, I am appriciative of all those who offer advice in helping someone new to the hobby.

LOL, I don't know Skip....I have some throw rugs down in the isle which have collected some pieces of Krystal that have made it to the floor.....it adds a bit of flair to the place I think Rofl.

Want to know how to tell you've got it bad? I just looked down at my mouse and there's a piece of black maribou caught in the scroll wheel DohRofl.

Thanks again to all, and that includes the rest of you new to tying. Everyone has something to offer when it comes to learning.

[Crappie snatcha]

Neon no misunderstanding I was admitting I didnt look before I asked a question no offense taken actually this newb just learned from you I am gonna try your chenille trick so thank you