Mitch f

I'll admit I don't tie as many hair jigs as I used to. I started out tying minnow patterns then got into crayfish imitators later. For some reason, They seem to work better in the cold weather than warm...not sure why, but they just do. But in the winter time, there's probably nothing better. The other thing I've learned is that IMO, less is more when it comes to tying hair on jigs. I use flat waxed nylon thread and a good sturdy vice. You can get started pretty cheap if you shop around and do your homework. But it's a pretty relaxing thing to do in the evening around a fireplace.

Made a great batch of Oxtail soup today if I say so myself. Tomato paste, cloves and beef stock make this soup special. Oxtails are starting to go up in price in the last 5 years. A very good hearty soup after a cold day on the river!

In the words of Nurse Ratchet, "That's a very challenging observation Randall (Joseph)". Does a self made plastic lure count?

All right, I've seen enough..... Wrench and Ness should have a "fish off" Phil will lay down the rules!

Paul Dallas used to bring a gallon jug full and never missed a cast!

Or maybe this..... http://www.bestofvids.com/video/when-a-hammer-fails.html

Awesome, Sounds like a good time! I don't like mine too spicy though....gives me too much heartburn!

So I noticed I put the wrong date on the title of this thread, I know how to edit the post but not the topic...can someone tell me how?

Tornado warnings in IL, crazy weather. The wind is blowing hard and bright sunshine here in O'Fallon, MO. But on the horizon very dark and on it's way.

Sending prayers

So, tie him up in the front seat of your truck, park the truck in the garage, close the garage door...turn on the truck......step out of the truck, and the garage for that matter. Wait 4 hours, go into the garage and remove the humanely dispatched coon...clean the coon poop from the seat. Done

Nothing wrong with Rogues, I've got a dozen or so. But the average guy has no idea about how much testing, re-testing, re-testing, 30 piece statistical study at the micron level, re- test, re-test again 100 more times until the Japanese perfect a bait. Then it runs perfect right out of the package and casts like a bullet.

Agree 100% ......only problem is, I'm Scotch Irish

Got to admit I'm pretty impressed with all the KVD products made by Strike King. All well thought out and work well. A little extra depth is nice actually! Little Red- will do, I've always liked a rolling/ flashing action.

Hey Al, are you talking about that new KVD jerk bait? They look pretty nice. I know Kevin Van Dam designed them to twitch very hard starting with a slack line. I've got one but haven't used it yet

I bought this today, I thought these were the ones you were referring to. This has a more rolling presentation and doesn't go quite as deep. Actually I didn't know that until I bought it but i'll give it a try anyway.

Hey Paul, did you get those new Vision 95's? if so, how do you like them?

Thanks to all who served!

Remember Skunkworks was Lockheed, You have to call it Phantom Works in St. Louis!!!!!! LOL

Motor stickers are cheap!

Thanks Gavin! But what about the hide off a rabbit strip? oh never mind.... just kidding

Have never had anyone answer this question definitively: Can you use a pork trailer in Red/Blue ribbon waters?

At the risk of JoeD responding by saying "Hair Smair, just throw the darn bait in the water and a fish will bite it!" I'm going to try to shorten the response. I like hair better because there are more varieties, I do love marabou however, it just doesn't last as long and doesn't flair until its still. One thing I always do with marabou is strip it off the main "spine". Unless you're tying the south end of a north bound Wooly Bugger you don't want the end of the jig looking stiff like a paint brush from Sherman Williams. As far as hair jigs, I will start by saying you need to determine if you are imitating minnows or crayfish. I'm assuming crayfish, so you need something that will last a few fish. For a long lasting jig, I would go with Bucktail, which is the most robust but doesn't have as much action....Squirrel, Raccoon, which is middle of the road, are a good balance of durability and action...and Arctic Fox and Rabbit which have great action. Rabbit also lasts a long time. If rabbit hair was 2" long, it would be my only choice, period. But since rabbit hair is only 1 or so inches long, you either have to palmer it on a shank, or use the strip for a tail (which I don't really like). Right now my choice for best all around is Raccoon, which you can get at some fly shops. See picture below. You can use either the longer guard hairs or the finer diameter under fur for different sized jigs/applications. On more cool thing about hair is that you can wash it with mild soap and water after use to get all the scum off and it looks brand new for your next trip.

I do respect trout! and I have the most respect for them when they prey on minnows, crayfish, and bigger fish. When they are just a plankton filter it's not too exciting. I still consider smallmouth the absolute monarchs mongst the species!