About 8 or 9 years ago, I attended a seminar put on By Ed with ProAngler tackle in Allen. There were some crappie guides there teachin how they catch dem crappie and Matthew was there sellin jigs and doing tying demonstrations. Matthew took the time to show me how to tie a basic jig and I wuz smitten with jigtyinitus!
From that encounter I got some stuff, then more stuff, then better stuff and I learned. Watched youtube and learned some more. Joined some jigswaps and learned some more. Experimented with stuff and learned some more. Started watchin fly tying youtube videos and learned some more. After all that I now think I can tie a decent jig. Not the works of art some tyers here create but a decent jig just the same.
Was contacted a few months back by a friend to tie a few jigs. I took the "spec" and made 3 prototypes and the friend field tested them. He came back with some suggestions and I said OK and tweaked one jig pattern that had outproduced the other 2 by a wide margin. When I was satisfied I tied up a dozen and sent them back to me friend.
Found out last week those jigs were used to win the CAT tournament at Richland Chambers! Now I know lots of folks here make baits and tie jigs that have won tournaments. But this was MY jig!
It's a great feelin for sure!
Now me thinks I will git some more stuff!
This post is for those out there thinkin bout tyin yer own jigs. Take yer time, learn & observe, try stuff out and be patient. Jigtyinitus is a malady that will become a hobby and give you a sense of accomplishment. It's nice to "roll yer own" baits and catch fish with em. It's great to have others ask what bait you are using when you are catchin fish and they ain't. And you get to tell em the bait you is using you tied. And then its really is great to find out yer own tied jigs win a tournament!
Again, thanks Matthew for taking the time to show me how to tie jigs!