I started back in the 40's when I was in the Cub Scouts. The Den Mother wanted us to make lure to catch fish in her farm pond. I made a Bumble Bee using a $4 Herters vise [that I still use and has made thousands of flies and jigs] In the 50's I got some Doll flies and tried to make my own but could not find jigs or jig hook. Used regular hooks and split shot for jigs. After I got out of the Air Force I wanted to learn Fly Fishing so I joined TU and met some great tyers and learned stream side how to make trout flies. Got back into jig tying about 17 years ago when I quit using bait for the Walleye run. Tried Plastic but good stuff was hard to find so I dug out the Herters vise again and I have not stopped tying sence. I have a good following on the river for my "Minners" and when it gets bitter cold the jigs sell better [they keep their hand out of the iced up buckets.] Crappie started showing up a couple of years ago and now I make jigs for them. I have way more tying stuff than half this site needs lol Ole