Jig Swap Details

Willow Drifter · 11-10-2003, 10:22 AM

We are off and running. The first official Ifish Jig Swap.

We will limit our swap to the following participants:

Gregor (RECEIVED) :smile:

Sparkle Boy (RECEIVED) :smile:
Purple Body, Cerise Schlappan, Blaze Orange Head

Oversize

JeepMcMuddy (RECEIVED) :smile:
Marabou Tail, Chenille Body, Hackle Collar

Flywrapper (RECEIVED) :smile:
White Body, Brown Palmered Hackle, Dark Brass Head

C-lice (RECEIVED) :smile:
Pink bead body, white tail.

Twitchs_Tackle (RECEIVED) :smile:
Purple/white.

First Cast (RECEIVED) :smile:

Sparse Gray Hackle (RECEIVED)

Steelymann (RECEIVED) :smile:
Custom Dumbbell Jig

Slugranch
Will provide molds and supplies if needed.

Here are the details:

1. All jigs must be hand-tied by you. This isn�t an Atlantic Salmon fly tying competition so don�t be worried about having the best, most intricate jig. This is about fishing and having fun.
2. Tie a total of 11 jigs (you will get one of your own jigs back); this makes it easier to swap out to everyone.
3. Pack and ship all of your jigs in a padded envelope. Include a padded envelope with the shipping attached to it (the same amount of shipping as it takes to send it to me). If you want delivery confirmation or insurance include that as well.
4. Please have all of your jigs to me by December 10, 2003. That will give everyone 30 days to have his or her jigs tied and shipped to me. My address is:

Todd Kramer
P.O. Box 870091
Wasilla, AK 99687-0091

5. I will swap them and send them back to you by December 17, 2003.
6. As I receive the jigs in the mail or as people decide what they are going to tie, I will update this post. That way we can all keep track of progress.
7. If you need any supplies please contact Mark at First Cast Jigs. He is great to work with and can help you with any materials or suggestions.

Please let me know if these details are good for everyone. I also have some jigs tied for Jennie that I will get into the mail on Wednesday, just to make sure we are in safety compliance.

Thanks for participating and have a Great day.

[ 12-15-2003, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: Willow Drifter ]

Willow Drifter · 11-10-2003, 02:11 PM

I am excited for this myself sparkleboy. Fishing up here is starting to slow down and I need something to keep me busy in the evenings. Fortunately I have the Anchor River Steelhead on the weekends.

First Bite · 11-10-2003, 09:00 PM

Willow

Sounds good to me. It would be nice to see some pics of the finished products.

Have fun tying.

Mark

sparkleboy · 11-10-2003, 11:00 PM

This is going to be awesome! Thanks for putting this together Willow Drifter! :smile:

Twitchs_Tackle · 11-10-2003, 11:22 PM

Here they come...

Willow Drifter · 11-14-2003, 11:21 PM

Good day fellow swappers. I received a nice message from Twitchs_Tackle bringing up a good point. The total swap is for 11 jigs. If you would like to add an additional jig for Jennie then I will make sure they get to her.

Thanks again for participating. Have fun.

[ 11-15-2003, 12:49 AM: Message edited by: Willow Drifter ]

Willow Drifter · 11-25-2003, 06:05 PM

Fellow Swappers-

I got our first set of jigs in the mail from Twitchs-Tackle.

It was a blast opening up the first envelope and seeing these 12 BEAUTIFUL jigs. The jigs are purple and white with a little flash and brass bead, and they look like they are totally bomb proof.

Thank you so much Twitch for joining the swap. You have some fantastic jigs.

As a little side note to everyone participating in the swap. Please include postage on your return envelope. If you forget please don't worry I will send it for you, I just don't want to have to send a ton out. :smile:

Thanks to everyone. I am sure you will all love getting the jigs in the mail. I am looking forward to seeing more of them.

C-lice · 11-25-2003, 07:28 PM

Got mine done today. They'll be in the mail tomorrow or Friday. I made 1/4 oz. pink bead-bodied / white marabou tailed jigs--very shrimpy.

I also threw in 3 others as a "thank you" for swapmeistering.

Twitchs_Tackle · 11-25-2003, 07:50 PM

Oops, sorry Willow, I guess in my haste to get them out I forgot to put the postage on the inside envelope, if you want, keep the 'oddball' jig to help compensate for some of the shipping. :grin:

Anxious to see what the other will look like...the fish are coming!

Willow Drifter · 11-25-2003, 08:31 PM

C-Lice, I can't wait to see them. They sound awesome.

Twitchs....No worries at all. :smile: I will send an extra one along as a trade for the oddball. Sound good?

JeepMcMuddy · 11-29-2003, 06:33 PM

Here's my offering, will go out in Monday's mail....Im sending 12, add the extra one to the ones you're sending Jennie.
1/8 oz 1/0 Owners, Marabou and Chennile.

[ 11-29-2003, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: JeepMcMuddy ]

Willow Drifter · 11-29-2003, 08:32 PM

Matt,

Those look fantastic. I can't wait to see them. This is going to be an awesome swap! :smile:

Twitchs_Tackle · 11-29-2003, 10:21 PM

I think I could catch fish with those [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] they look great, thanks for participating Jeep!

First Bite · 11-30-2003, 12:33 PM

After a lot of thinking I had an idea to tie something of a hybrid. This jig is a medium size with a cerise hackle tail, Fuchsia schlappen & purple marabou. Cerise Krystal Flash finished it off

They will be in the mail tomorrow.

Mark

Willow Drifter · 11-30-2003, 01:02 PM

This swap is getting better and better.

Thank you so much Mark. Those look FANTASTIC! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

ultralight · 11-30-2003, 01:07 PM

I would love to participate in this swap, however, I only have jigs with thin wire hooks. I don't think they will keep a brute steelhead. So my question is: where are you getting the jigheads with stronger hooks?

First Bite · 11-30-2003, 01:15 PM

ultralight

I have several flavors of Owner and Gamakatsu hooks. If you're interested, drop me an e-mail.

Willow

I agree this will be fun to see what other ideas jig fisherman have. Jeep has some awesome looking jigs as do the others. They all look like fish catchers.

Mark

ultralight · 11-30-2003, 01:34 PM

First Cast,

I know you have the hook, pin and metal bead set up, but do you have the jighead with the stronger hook?

First Bite · 11-30-2003, 01:45 PM

ultralight

I have several finished jig heads with the solid brass beads too.

Mark

steelymann · 11-30-2003, 01:51 PM

I should be finishing mine tonight after I get the kids down. A little funky thing I tie that great at knocking down the big dawgs. Will add pic when I get them done.

~steelymann~

ultralight · 11-30-2003, 02:09 PM

First Cast,

Do you have the finished jigheads on your website? Thanks!

Jim

JeepMcMuddy · 11-30-2003, 02:26 PM

Ultralight, if you still cant find 'em I didnt pour my own, I bought unfinished jigs (they had 'em on Owners and Eagle Claws, I went with Owners) at joes, and found the powdered hot dip paint for the heads at Fishermens. (but if you have time, get them from Mark as he is an iFish sopporter!)

Mark- Those Hybrids look Sweeeet! Can wait to try and fish them all!!!

[ 11-30-2003, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: JeepMcMuddy ]

First Bite · 11-30-2003, 03:33 PM

ultralight

I have a couple dozen Heavy wire Gamakatsu jig heads for sale. They can be found at my on-line store under "Close-out Items" I don't have a picture yet but they are finished jig heads ready for tying.

Mark

ultralight · 11-30-2003, 07:25 PM

First Cast,

Thanks for your responses! I'd be interested in getting some of the jigheads, and would like to know the hook size/bead size. Thanks!

steelymann · 11-30-2003, 07:47 PM

First Cast
Pretty sweet looking jig. The epoxy on mine are drying now (epoxy you say!?) A weird experiment that has paid off numerous times. My number 1 jig by far. The big boys (and girls) like it especially. You'll know the jig when you see it. Weird looking thing.

Willow Drifter -
I too, am sending some extra jigs for Jenny. I put some "normal" looking jigs in there for you also. Thanks for hooking this up. Will remember postage. I'd put up some pics but can't seem to get the hang of posting.

~steelymann~

First Bite · 12-01-2003, 05:03 AM

ultralight

The jig heads I have tied are a 1/0 Gamakatsu hook with the 11/32" and 3/8" brass bead. This will work for steelhead.

Mark

steelymann · 12-01-2003, 08:07 PM

Willow Drifter,

My jigs will be on the way tomorrow. Thanks again.

~steelymann~

flywrapper · 12-02-2003, 05:56 AM

Mine are in the mail, also. Would be good if results were posted after a month or so......
Thanks, Willow - good idea and follow thru!!!

sparkleboy · 12-02-2003, 06:15 AM

I'll have mine finished by tonight and mailed tomorrow.

Willow Drifter · 12-02-2003, 01:59 PM

Sparkleboy, Steelymann and Flywrapper. Thank so much for participating. I have been having a blast getting the jigs in the mail and I can't wait to see all of yours.

I think a follow-up post is certainly in order. I will also get some pictures taken and put on disk of all the jigs so I can post them on the here on Ifish.

I know this swap will certainly improve my jig fishing. I have already gotten a ton of new ideas.

Thanks again to everyone for participating.

Todd

-21 right now with the wind here in nice downtown Palmer, Alaska. I love days like this, not a cloud in the sky. :smile:

Willow Drifter · 12-02-2003, 05:09 PM

Got some Great jigs from C-Lice today. Thank you very much for the extras!

sparkleboy · 12-02-2003, 11:50 PM

Woo! Just finished mine up! In the mail tomorrow!

Gregor · 12-05-2003, 03:31 PM

in the mail! :smile:

3/16oz-2/0 Gamu, Krystal Flash, yarn, mallard flank, marabou

Willow Drifter · 12-05-2003, 06:13 PM

What a rockin' Friday night. Sitting back with a nice Alaska Amber and looking through jigs. I got 3 packages today. First Cast, Fly Wrapper and Jeep McMuddy, your jigs have arrived.

You have seen the pictures of the jigs from First Cast and Jeep. Trust me...they both look better in person. Totally beautiful and hardcore jigs. I can't wait to fish them.

Fly wrapper has come through with something different. You will all really like this one. Really buggy. I can't wait to tackle some Willow Creek Grayling and Rainbows with this one. Looks Great.

Thank you all for participating and I will continue to update arrivals.

Have a Great one.

Todd

Willow Drifter · 12-05-2003, 07:31 PM

Gregor,

That jig looks awesome. I am sure I can find some Alaskan Rainbows that would like to try a bite of that one.

Willow Drifter · 12-10-2003, 06:12 PM

I am sorry that I havn't updated this post in a couple of days.

I got 3 more FANTISTIC packages in the mail.

This swap has been very interesting to me. Better then I would have ever thought. So far I have gotten 8 packages of jigs from people, as their favorite patterns yet they are all very different. I was hoping we would all get some great jigs out of this swap but will also got some Great ideas there as well. Better then I had hoped for. I am anxious for everyone to get there jigs back. We are only waiting for 2 more folks and I talked with Sparse Gray today and his are on the way.

SteelyMann sent me some jigs that I would have never thought to fish. These things kick all kinds of tail. I can't wait to fish them. Steely also sent me a picture I wish all of you could see. A 19.5 lb. Hen from the Kalama. This fish looks like a missle with a tail bigger then I have ever seen on a steelhead. I bet this fish could move. Thank you also for the extra jigs.

Sparkleboy made his jig tying debut in a big way. These are some Great jigs. Orange head, Cerise collar, pink and purple body. These things have steelhead written all over them. Sparkle boy - you sent me something else in the package. I will be sending it back, no worries I just can't accept that, it was too much. Thank you though. :smile: :smile:

Finally Gregor sent us a collection of jigs named "Nightshade". Trust me, his picture doesn't come close to showing these ones off. What a lot of work these things must have been. Again one of the ones that sparks all kinds of new ideas. Thank you!!!

Almost time to swap these out. I hope to have these to everyone by the end of next week. I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

Thanks and have a Great one.

Todd

sparkleboy · 12-10-2003, 06:33 PM

Thank you for the kind comments! :smile:
I hope everyone else agrees with you! I tested out a few prototypes of those jigs recently, and although I didn't catch anything, I loved the way the jig held up and how it looked in the water. I hope everyone enjoys!

steelymann · 12-10-2003, 07:10 PM

I'm pretty excited to give these a try! If any of you want to break some in on the Kalama, let me know. The winters should be showing in force pretty soon! Thanks again willow Drifter.

Mike "steely" Mann

sparse gray hackle · 12-15-2003, 08:40 AM

Please! all accept my apology as I for some reson had my head up a dark stikey spot and thougth that the jigs were due the 17th. Mine left here today Via over night mail to todd. Again I apologize and I hope that I didn't hole up the fun to bad. Thanks Todd for all you have done for us.

Willow Drifter · 12-15-2003, 09:52 AM

You certainly didn't need to pay the extra for the overnight. I have them all in little piles getting ready to go. I will get them out as soon as possible. I am still waiting on one more and we are all good to go.

Thanks everyone!!!

Willow Drifter · 12-18-2003, 08:57 PM

Good day everyone. We are still waiting on set of jigs from Oversize. I will send all of the jigs on monday no matter what. This leads to a question.

1) If I have an extra for everyone do you want one of your own back?

or.....

2) I swap out randomly with each of you and you get someone elses?

I will leave it up to all of you. Soooo.....let me know.

Thanks. I am excited for everyone to get there jigs back. This has been a Great swap!!!!

Twitchs_Tackle · 12-18-2003, 11:41 PM

surprise me (us)... or keep them for yourself.. thanks for getting this going!

Fshklr · 12-19-2003, 05:15 AM

send the extras to jen [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] looks like some great jigs in those pics [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

sparse gray hackle · 12-19-2003, 05:57 AM

I think that you should keep the extras.you are the one that's doing all the work,
"YOU THE MAN" :grin: Thanks WD hope that you and your family have a great Christmas and a Happy new year.

Willow Drifter · 12-19-2003, 08:56 AM

I can tell all of you right now that I can't keep the extras. This thing is all about sharing. I will swap them out to each of you. It is more fun that way.

Jennie has a pretty nice stack going. I will get them off to her next week as well.

[ 12-19-2003, 11:26 AM: Message edited by: Willow Drifter ]

JeepMcMuddy · 12-23-2003, 04:53 PM

Wooohooo can't wait!!! Any Update??

steelymann · 12-23-2003, 07:10 PM

Yeah Jeep,
I know some of those jigs are catching fish on the kalama right now...

~steelymann~

Willow Drifter · 12-23-2003, 08:36 PM

I am a total slacker. Sorry I have not updated everyone. I will get the jigs in the mail ASAP. I have them sorted and will try and make the Post Office tomorrow. I will keep you updated.

I hope everyone is catching a lot of fish. No fishing here, just a ton of snow. I am think of tackling some landlocked cohos through the ice with my 3 year old this weekend. Sure wish I could tackle some of those winter fish in the NW right now.