Thread: Calling all jig tyers

I have been given the go ahead from Skip to see if there is any interest in starting “Jig Swaps”. Here are the details:

What the heck is a jig swap?
A jig swap, basically, is when a number of tyers exchange jigs and tying techniques with one another. One of the tyers acts as the swap host or “swapmeister” and coordinates the gathering and the distribution of all the jigs for the rest of the swappers. Swaps are open to everyone and your level of tying skill is not a prerequisite. 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.

Now that I know, how do I join one?
A topic will be started with details of the jig to be tied (ex. Color, material used, etc.). Also the date when the jigs are to be mailed by and the cutoff number for participants will be posted. If you are interested, you should respond with a reply of “I’m in”. The “swapmeister” will then PM the participants with his/her address for the jigs to be sent for distribution.

What's the best way to package my jigs?
On each of your jigs you should attach a small “toe tag” on which is your member name and the name of your pattern, so that all the jigs can be identified by their recipients . The tag should be a tiny piece of paper to which you can impale the hook point. Do not attach tags with strings or wire as untangling a mess of flies can be a nightmare for your swapmeister.
Then place your jigs in an appropriately sized container (this container will be returned to you filled with all the treasures from the other swappers). Altoids tins are perfect as are small to medium plastic flyboxes. Travel soap holders also work well or small compartmented Planos. Things to avoid are film canisters, cardboard boxes or any hard breakable plastic boxes. Some swappers may wish to package their jigs in individual ziplocks or paper envelopes. That's great, but you have to remember to still include a box for the return of jigs that are not packaged in the same manner.
Now place your filled box in a self-addressed (possibly padded) postage paid return envelope, but DO NOT seal it. It would also be good to include the tying instructions for your pattern. Now place your return package in a larger manila or tyvek envelope, address it to your swapmeister and ship it on out before the deadline date. It would also be a nice gesture to include an extra jig or two for your hard working swapmeister...he will appreciate it!

A few other swap tips.
If you get overwhelmed and feel you cannot complete the swap, don't feel bad, we all know unexpected commitments arise that prevent us from completing certain tasks. But, please let your swapmeister know as early as you possibly can. It is very possible that he can find a replacement tyer for you and you won't be delaying the completion of the swap.
Mail out your jigs well before the deadline date. You don't want to be the last tyer to finish and make everyone else wait while you frantically try to finish up!

An efficient swapmeister will keep everyone apprised as to the status of his swap. Expect to receive frequent updates and please let him know how you are coming along if he asks.

If you have a question, don't be afraid to ask your swapmeister. There are NO stupid questions!

Last, but of the most importance is to HAVE FUN!


So now that everyone knows how this can work, who would be interested?

I am NOT interested. I just tie the patterns that I use and individuals can see those patterns on my website.

I have already posted this thread http://www.crappie.com/gr8vb3/showth...375#post305375 which is now in the archives as well as on this Jig tying / Jig Making forum which will help anyone learn to tie these jigs. There are many suggestions on that thread. Here is another good thread. http://www.crappie.com/gr8vb3/showthread.php?t=49489 or http://www.crappie.com/gr8vb3/showthread.php?t=48982 If you have not checked out those threads I would encourage individuals to do so. I have put in bold the ones I use most and would encourage anyone to learn first.

Most differences in fly tying come with the selections or colors and/or tying materials. The technique is basically the same.



Jig Tying Tutorials
Bob Clouser Fly
Calf Tail Jigs
Chenille Fly
Deciever Fly
Wooly Booger
Jaques Fly
Silkworm Fly
Marabou Streamer
Flashabou Fly
Rubber band "Maggot" Fly

Those are the flies that actually work for ALL PANFISH, Bream and Crappies. Tie them on a 1/64 or 1/32 jighead and you are ready to go fishing. Once you learn the basics you can add your own "Special effects" to your jig.

SWAMPMEISTER STATED "It would also be a nice gesture to include an extra jig or two for your hard working swapmeister...he will appreciate it!"

This sounds fishy to me!!! I believe that he just wants some free jigs for himself.

Well with over 50 hits and one reply I guess this will go nowhere. This is real popular for fly tyers, I was just hoping to take it in a different direction. This was all on the up and up , trust me Old Ship, I don't want any of yours or anyone elses jigs for free. All the information was taken from another board and changed around a bit, hence not my idea totally. Obviously you and possibly others are not seeing this for what it could be, but no skin off my back. All I ask dear sir is not to be quick to comment on my character until you are sure.

Originally Posted by fowlmood77

This is real popular for fly tyers

IMO, that's because there are a lot more varieties of flies to tie: nymphs, streamers, dries, emergers, midges, etc. Like ship said, crappie jigs are too generic to warrant a swap.

Just my two cents.

It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

IMO, that's because there are a lot more varieties of flies to tie: nymphs, streamers, dries, emergers, midges, etc. Like ship said, crappie jigs are too generic to warrant a swap.

Just my two cents.

Even the fly swaps target a particular type, like the one I just had to pass on was for flies tied using foam so even though there are a lot of different kind of flies most swaps target a type fly so it would be that much different if it was for jigs IMHO.

Skip

http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showforum=24

Originally Posted by fowlmood77

Well with over 50 hits and one reply I guess this will go nowhere. This is real popular for fly tyers, I was just hoping to take it in a different direction. This was all on the up and up , trust me Old Ship, I don't want any of yours or anyone elses jigs for free. All the information was taken from another board and changed around a bit, hence not my idea totally. Obviously you and possibly others are not seeing this for what it could be, but no skin off my back. All I ask dear sir is not to be quick to comment on my character until you are sure.

No wonder you are in a fowl mood. I cannot let your comment I quoted above go unchallenged. Nobody commented on your character but you. I just raised the question as to your motives.
Like I said, a crappie jig is a crappie jig. Many of us, including myself, have already posted step by step how to videos on this site for individuals to learn the basics of several jigs. A video is much more valuable than a piece of paper because you can watch and then do instead of read and then try.


If, individuals on this forum did as you requested...and I quote your own words.....SWAMPMEISTER STATED "It would also be a nice gesture to include an extra jig or two for your hard working swapmeister...he will appreciate it!" ...........then you would have 1,000 to 5,000 free jigs for the swapmeister.

I was born at night...but it wasn't last night. That is why I questioned your motives sir! The only one commenting on your character was you.

Originally Posted by shipahoy41

a crappie jig is a crappie jig.

Exactly. We might as well have an ice cube swap. I'll make some ice cubes and trade them for somebody else's. :D

Look, virtually everybody who might participate in a jig swap already has a web site where they sell jigs. And people post pictures of their jigs all the time. If I want somebody else's jigs, I'll just buy them or look at them on their site and tie them myself.

Originally Posted by fowlmood77

http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showforum=24

I realize that fly tiers are very into swaps, but what works for the fly crowd won't necessarily work for the jig crowd.