hellgramite

on top soft plastic hellgramite i based from, on bottom hellgramite prototype, needs more back feelers. 1/16oz about 2" long.Attachment 128897

I like where you are going with this jig. You will get them just right after tying a dozen or so. Thanks for posting the pic Mike. These may be the ticket to use on your new fishing rod :) what size hook did you use, a 1/80 or 1/100 would be a good size.

thanks, yeah its the first one im still trying to get it to look just right and sit right in the water, its 1/16 and stands straight up in the water cause the tail is foam, i think it would just float if it was much lighter.

Try the aerofly technique for the tail. All you would need to do is trim the hackles top and bottom and you are left with a lof of feelers.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2.../Aerojigs1.jpg

I used 4 hackle strands but a single one should give the right look.

aero jig tail.wmv - YouTube

I think that might give you exactly what you want without using foam.

ill have to try that, but i like the foam i just need to get it to stand at more of a 45 instead of straight up im gonna try some lead wraps near the hook bend.

Mike - a fly tying buddy tried these and had the same problem, you'll have to try and get some non-eared split shot and try to balance it out - might be a pain. don't go to heavy towards the tail or you could end up sinking it!!! I'll try and find the video on it when I get home.

ok thanks, im close to giving up on the foam i tried about 10 wraps of lead at the bend but it just sank the hook point cause the foam curled away from it, the spun hackle tail looked good in the water just gotta try to get it perfect now with the right feather and chenille.

Try vernille, it should stay small enough to keep the proper shape and not be as bulky.

thats what i was thinking, just got frustrated and had to stop tying for a while.

Mike - here's a step by step doing it on a needle after you're done just push the small shot into the seam till you get it the way you want. Just a touch of glue on the edge will hold it in. How to tie an extended body - Fly tying patterns step by step catalog

ill have to try that thanks, im thinking maybe some lead wraps inside it, it will really save on bulk and still help it sink.