Tied for the first time today

With all this talk about tying, I thought I would give it a try. If nothing else I could add it to my list of "hobbies" or as my wife says "crap I do for a week and then the ADD kicks in".
I went to Bass Pro and they did not have a good selection of equipment, but they have good material. I think I got string that is too thin. Made for flys instead of jigs. I picked up some Flashabou, if for no other reason but to tell someone I bought some thing called flashabou. I picked up a couple of fur colors too.
I must say that what I put together was not pretty but I think they will do. I might try to post some pictures later, but right now I am a little embarrased to do so!
My wife thanks you all for helping my find my latest hobby.

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Originally Posted by dmbutler47

With all this talk about tying, I thought I would give it a try. If nothing else I could add it to my list of "hobbies" or as my wife says "crap I do for a week and then the ADD kicks in".
I went to Bass Pro and they did not have a good selection of equipment, but they have good material. I think I got string that is too thin. Made for flys instead of jigs. I picked up some Flashabou, if for no other reason but to tell someone I bought some thing called flashabou. I picked up a couple of fur colors too.
I must say that what I put together was not pretty but I think they will do. I might try to post some pictures later, but right now I am a little embarrased to do so!
My wife thanks you all for helping my find my latest hobby.

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everyone started the same way ,i still have a few of my first flys and jigs i bet yours looks better thean mine.
go to youtube.com,type in fly tying. lots of good videos,and info.


gators stink

Just read through some of the how-to threads here and you'll learn in no time.
For the thread, you can tie with whatever size you want, but you usually match the thread size to the size fly or jig you want. Most jig tiers use a 3/0 thread, I use a flat waxed nylon thread from Danville. The trick is to keep the thread as tight as you can, especially during the first few initial wraps over a material you added as this is when you really lock it down, without breaking it. It takes a lot of practice to get the feel for it. If you want to just practice, you can take a bare hook or jig and just practice with a few wraps so you don't waste material or a lot of thread and practice tying your knots or something to get the feel of how strong the thread is. Hope this helped. If you have any other questions feel free to post a thread and ask.

y'all will be helpin me soon

There are lots of videos in the archives on this forum. Your wife will be still thanking you for keeping out of her hair.

I too started last night!

I can't decide if it's easier or harder than I expected.

The kit I have came with a video I haven't watched yet....I just did like others and checked out the videos on youtube.

Most of these look like junk, I know.....but the white chenille/chartruese tail one came out the best of my 4. I'm about to start again in a few minutes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/100_1939.jpg

Everybody starts somewhere. I am sure if we all posted pictures of our first efforts it would be a hootenanny. The important thing is than you are having fun and taken that first step. The longest journey you will ever make in your life always starts with a belief and that first step. Good luck to you.

i bet they will catch fish.

dmbutler

if i can make a suggeston on thread, get some waxed monacord, good thread easy to use. 1 tip- when you first start your thread, tie it on, then break it with your tying hand, this will let will let you know how tite you canwrap it before it breaks. Good Luck

Everyone has their own style and type things they use. For thread I like 210 denier flat waxed best for jigs. There is no real reason to use anything smaller for jigs. Flies, yes 6/0 and thinner for the most part, but I even use 210 on it if I can get away with it. I tend to over tighten it and break anything less.

Flat waxed is important I think for several reasons!

Skip

I wouldn't worry about buying the good stuff first. You're not going to like the first 40 or so jigs you tie. So it's money wasted. Just my two cents.

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Originally Posted by sacawhat

I wouldn't worry about buying the good stuff first. You're not going to like the first 40 or so jigs you tie. So it's money wasted. Just my two cents.

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This is true. Your first jigs are going to look like garbage' and the next 50 won't be any better. Then all of a sudden you grasp the concept "Less is better!"

Less material makes a much better jig! Always finish with neat wraps! Your look of the jig and your satisfaction just went up 1000%

If you are worried about what they look like and if they will catch fish remember. the colder the water the sharper their vision but the warmer the water you can throw out the ugly stuff and they'll still hit it because they cant see as well. If all else fails tip it with a minnow. Good to here you are tying, it's a great hobby and pretty soon you'll get it down and everyone will be asking you for your jigs.

I have a question for you guys. I've tied several since posting that last picture and I'm getting a little more hang of it....but one thing is bugging me.

How do I finish up the chenille wraps for the body? My kit came with this stuff that says it's "jig head cement" but it does nothing for getting the chenille to sit down flat....

???