What do I order to hand-tie marabou and (is it chenille?) on larger horse-head jigs?

[Cajuntec]

Well... I tried tying one up today. Can't really call it a success. Lessons learned:

1) I need new thread. I'm going to try that 210. I've seen a few videos mention that. One I just watched recently showed the guy using "Ultra Thread 140", and he stops and says, "I'd prefer 210, but this is all I have in this color"...

2) Practice removing the marabou material. Right now... I look like I murdered a nuclear chicken at my desk. Chartreuse and White fluffy feathers everywhere!

3) The jigs I'm tying have a little "hook" on the head for holding on soft plastics. That needs to be removed. It sticks through the thread.

4) Tying a horse head jig with the blade attached is (almost) impossible. I stopped and removed it from the swivel. These were pre-made Road Runner heads. I'm removing all of them before trying again.

Thanks for all the help everyone! I'm going to get this done. I just need to buy some more materials, make some modifications to the jigheads, and practice a lot. I might not re-engage this RR deal right now. Maybe practice on some ball head jigs first until I get it down.

All the best,
Glenn

[MCG1]

I think you have a great plan, practice on the round ball jigs. Good luck. Remember to post pics of your progress.

[skiptomylu]

These are 1/32 Oz Roadrunners! PM me!

Skip

[Cajuntec]

These are 1/32 Oz Roadrunners! PM me!

Skip

Those are beauties! I'll PM you in a second. Here was my first attempt. I was already into it when I realized that little spike to hold the plastic in place should have been cut off... but I just kept going because I wanted to see how it would look. Not really a successful tie... but I bet it still catches fish!

[SuperDave336]

That will work and catch fish. If you had some thicker chenille it would hide the plastic keeper without cutting it off. I’ve also just smashed them flat before but that will damage paint if already painted.

[snake River]

We’ve been doing her own coloring of feathers for many years. We’ve done it for a commercial guy in Portland Oregon. We used to do Ginny feathers in multiple colors are used to get the coloring from. I believe Keystone a little bit of some other stuff goes a long ways, but we used to do a lot of it, I do buy the feathers by the pound last time I bought 5 pounds of white short and have done something black and blue and purple ..

[Cajuntec]

Well.. I fished it on Sunday. Quite disappointed to see it in the water. I was in some really clear water, so I was able to see it for quite a distance. My marabou all folded down when wet and it looked like a single little thread coming off the back of a blank jighead. It looked so fluffy and full when dry. I guess I need to add a LOT more marabou to make it fluff out when paused / popped / etc... Because it looks like it has no action at all. Oh well... back to the fly tying vice.
All the best,
Glenn

[SuperDave336]

Sometimes less is more.

[Cajuntec]

I’m wondering if there is a “standard” amount to put in something like this. 3 pieces? 5 pieces? More?
All the best,
Glenn

[MCG1]

Maybe try 4 small sections. 1 each top, bottom, sides. Will distribute your marabou more evenly around the jig.