New Jigs: Evolution or Revolution

On the heels of getting such beautiful jigs, that I caught several steelhead on, from Silent Approach Jigs ( www.silentapproach.com ), I ordered and recieved some from Rainbow Jigs (rainbowjigs@aol.com). These are also beautiful and killer looking. They are both an advancement from jigs I've used in the past. We all saw in another thread on the subject that Roger and Mike are both from Auburn and know each other. But they don't have a joint biz, so the competition will be great for us fishers. Let me tell you that Rainbow's have the same quality type of palmered marabou feathers, with some flashabou added, while S.A.'s have some Krystalflash added. The most interesting thing is they both made some prototype 'Skunk' pattern jigs that I requested, and came up with totally different styles. The jig purist will like Rainbow's 'Skunk' better. They are like other chenile bodied jigs with black and kelly green body spiraled in silver thread, and with large red/white marabou tail feathers; the colors found in the famous "Green Butt Skunk' steelhead fly. Steelheaders that also do some steelhead flyfishing will like S.A.'s better. These intrigue me the most because it looks almost identical to a good 'Green Butt Skunk' fly, only upside down and made on a 1/4 oz. jighead. I know this one will certainly be a taker of summer steelhead in the 1/8 oz. version (I'll be ordering some around April or May Roger) and I really do think this has excellant potential for clearer water winter steelhead fishing. I can hardly wait to get out there with these guy's jigs!!! They have all the standard proven jig colors, but they will tie up custom ones too. Yet another Auburn tackle company, BeauMac, has been making different looking jigs with bead bodies and shorter tail feathers. I have seen Mark work magic with them, but I honestly like the looks of these 2 newer jig company's stuff better. ... I can't leave out our Crusty's Jigbug jigs. They are very well made and look like the traditional and effective Jim Bradbury Jigs. Also, John's (Crusty) steelhead flies are absolutely top notch. Geez, these evolving jigs along with the good steelhead runs coming really have me jacked up! Get after 'em. - RT

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 12-09-2000).]

[Ramstrong]

Dang RT, Do you ever sleep? Do you know if either company has a website?(thanks for the edit SA's stuff looks good) I would be interested at looking at their products. I figure I had better lear this jig fishing as the boat appears to be leaving without me. I've tried the Beau Mac jigs, but think they could definately be improved. I don't like the Marabou, it doesn't fan out very well on the jigs that I've bought, but another company, I don't remember thier name, but I bought them at GI Joes, fans out well but doesn't have a body. I just want to catch some fish, I've only been out once in the last 3 weeks, and all I caught then was a couple of dark Chinook.

[This message has been edited by Ramstrong (edited 12-09-2000).]

Hi Ryan. How ya been? ... I sleep like cats do; whenever I feel like it . Actually, I've been working, and also posting on the BB, at night a lot for quite awhile. No distractions. I'm going to sleep a couple hours right now and then out the door to sturgeon fish. ...

I added Silent Approach's new website URL by edit just a minute ago. Check it out! And e-mail Rainbow for a catalog. They both use a better palmered marabou that fluffs a bit with action. SA also makes them in rabbit fur. I have yet to try the fur but will. Because jigs became popular years ago after I sold my driftboat (bad lower back) and I quit bank angling (basketball injury foot surgeries), so I fished almost always from sleds for a long time, I didn't take them up until the last couple of years for winter steelhead; and only on occasion. After getting back into rowing driftboats and some short walk bankin', I have used jigs more this year and they are really effective! And the visual rush of the bobbers down is fun. You will also be able to fish snaggy water and seams on the other side of the river much better with jigs, and they are an efective low clear water alternative. They are a bit spendy compared to corkies and yarn but you lose them much less often, and they are more productive in many cases. By all means get into jig fishing. As I found out, you are missing out if you aren't "gettin' jiggy with it", as Will Smith would say .

[First Bite]

Steve
Those new Skunk jigs should work great on the Wilson with the water being low and clear right now.
Mark

[SailCat]

RT-

A few years ago I spent some time tying for a fly-fishing guide who targets steelhead and salmon.

The purpose was two-fold; to discover what colors were most effective, as well as which materials worked best (the experiment was on summer steelhead, BTW).

Besides finding blue and purple patterns surprisingly appealing, we also determined that steelhead are highly tactile; that the texture of the material was often as important as the color. The softer the material, the more effective the flies.

I mention this here because rabbit fur (mentioned above as an optional jig material) was most effective while flies tied with prickly chenille would often be rejected.

Please note: Tests were highly subjective and often influenced by whims of nature.

~MT

[Shannon]

Silent Approach has some of the nicest jigs on the market and unheard of customer service. I received some jigs and they look fabulous. The Arctic Fox is a winner in the grub pattern. The market ought to become very competitive when other jig tyers follow the same tying pattern as Silent Approach. Maybe with an influx of competition the prices on quality jigs will remain reasonable.

Shannon