Fly Idea

[drath]

Hi everyone, I just found this site yesterday so I’m new to this forum. So far I really like the site. Thanks

I have a question for ya’ll.

I’m sure you all know how popular the John Deere mini jig is at BSSP. I love 'em. I’ve been painting jig heads and tying them for myself, my wife, and friends for the last 3 or 4 years. However, over the past few years I’ve started getting into fishing more tandem/dropper rigs. Last week I was on vacation in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (great vacation BTW) fishing a dry indicator fly with #16 and #18 bead head nymph droppers when I got an this idea and I’d like to know what you guys/gals think.

I’m thinking about slipping a green bead with tiny yellow eyes on a #16. Then giving it an olive tail and a few wraps of peacock or the ultra light/fine green chenille. This way I’ve got something small/light enough to fish under a dry fly while still fishing something in a John Deere-ish pattern.

Has anyone here ever tried this at BSSP? I’d appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

-D

[brittsnbirds]

drath-

I have never tried that particular combo but I do tie a smaller aka "JD" that I will tandem. Rule of thumb at BSSP, if it's moss green it will work!! I see no reason why it would not! However I have found I have better success when using the real JD green and JD yellow (eyes) than other tints of green and yellow. I just happen to own JD products and have the paint laying around.

I would like to know how your experiment goes so keep us posted.

Pat

[roundtrout]

Ditto to Britts and a photo would be nice too!

[Thom]

The JD works at Taney as well as BSSP. I switch to it sometimes at Taney ane almost catch a fish or two on it.

I am going to BSSP on Kids day with my grandson and will try tying some of the JD's. When I get them tied I will post a pic of my version. You are right Pat. It most always works at BSSP. The ones I used before were just the green color beads with eyes tied on a 12 scud hook with a little chennelle and green mairbou. I put a yellow eye with a dot fo a marker pen. Just more fun if tied myself

[drath]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Britts, while I don’t have any actual John Deere paint, the paint I currently use on 1/80th oz jig heads matches the JD’s sold at Weavers perfectly. The hard part will be painting 3/32 size bead and finding something to match the chenille.

If you don’t mind sharing, what do you use for your smaller JD?

Round, everything is still in the idea phase so I don’t have any tied to post pictures of yet but I’ll try to get some posted as soon as I get time to tie a few. I picked up some beads a few days ago but I haven’t had time to paint or tie.

Thom, I agree, it’s much more fun to catch fish on stuff I’ve tied myself.

I’m planning on heading to BSSP for a short weekend trip in mid May so I’ll let everyone know how things work out when I get back.

Thanks again.

-D

[Thom]

One way to paint jig heads that I have found real easy is to cut a saw blade wide strip about 1" longways down a piece of lumber. You can then insert the hook part of the jig into the slot leaving just the lead part of the jig showing. Then a can of spray paint can be used to paint several heads. I use a hard enamel and put several coats leaving drying time between coats. You can do 50 or so at a time that way.

Feather craft used to sell green, orange, white beads that can be put on a scud hook. I have several of the green and orange ones that I use for jigs.

Let us know how you do.....good or bad. I plan to be there for kids day later this spring.

[twosets]

I am not positive, but I think that 2 flys on a rig is a no no at the trout parks.

You should findout for sure before you try it.

Good Luck

[flyfishmaster]

twoset,

I hate to bust your bubble but double or tandem fly rigs are legal in Missouri trout parks. There have been a few discussions on this forum related to that topic.

Here is one them: Tandem Fly Rig - Trout Parks

Later,

FFM

[twosets]

Not busting my bubble at all, glad to know the rule.

I got "yelled at" last year for fishing a dropper in zone 1 was the only reason I mentioned it.

i guess the yeller was wrong.

[Thom]

Only single point flies in zone 1, single point or treble hook lures...not plastic zone 2, Nothing about two flies or a dropper in the regs. I just read them again. I guess some interpret that only a single point fly can be used as only one fly but that is solely the description of the fly type that can be used not the number as I understand it.