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[#0000FF]I have been using a modified version of the clown pattern for a long time...basically just a red head on a chartreuse body. Also on white. I just call them "dip heads"...since they look like I have just dipped the flig head first in red paint. Creative huh?[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]The clown pattern has proven effective for most species...especially in cold and/or murky water...or under low visibility conditions. The bright contrasting colors really make them visible. And any lure the fish can see better usually gets more attention.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I agree with you on the wimpy cutts. They usually just wait for you to reel them in and release them, especially if they have played the game before. But once in a while a contrary (female?) cutt will actually put up some resistance and punish the angler by collecting nearby lines. Nothing like a big 'bow or brown, but still better than just a weak roll and thrash.
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You were right to go yesterday. The window closed this morning.
I wanted to put the 'yak in the water to see if it's still leaking after a small repair, and the website above said winds were light this morning. Nope. Just short of whitecaps in the marina. And since I was the only boat there, I voted for discretion instead of valor. As I was leaving another boat pulled in, took a look - and followed me out.
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That is a good site, I use one called "Windy". When I used to fish from my pontoon it was a must to know what the wind was forecasted.
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[#0000FF]When I did a looksee at the weather this morning it said the wind was already 10 mph. I gave myself a high five and started looking ahead to next week.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Sometimes ya just gotta sneak up on Mama Nature and not give her too much advance warning of a planned trip. The more time she has to plot her evil deeds the less likely you will find nice conditions.
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Dead calm to 3 mph here at my house - which is why I ventured forth.
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[#0000FF]Bad form to reply to your own post. But I put together a better diagram for rigging tandem fligs.[/#0000FF]
[inline "TANDEM FLIG RIGGING.jpg"]
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Good job Pat! Turns out my knee isn't ass bad as expected. Getting it scoped and cleaned Tuesday, a week off and I'll be ready to tube. Might have to depend on my motor more than usual. Guess it won't kill me until it's fully mended. Shucks, I'll just be happy to be on the water again.
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Thanks Pat, I appreciate the new diagram.
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In the 'Watta Mess' picture it looks like you had my grandchildren with you. 
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[#0000FF]Sounds better than a knee replacement. It's hell to grow old but considering the alternative...[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]After reading your report about the dinged knee I reminded myself to remember not to forget that the last two times I have been sidelined with knee problems it has been after a trip to Willard. Float tubers "knee-monia".[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I've got a fambly trip to Arizona starting the 14th but hopefully you will be ready to dance again when I get back.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]In the meantime, take full advantage of the motor. That's what it's for. And just hope you don't have a battery or motor problem when you are over by the north dike and have to make it back to the harbor kicking against a south wind. Been that, done there.
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[#0000FF]I can synthesize with that observation. Had plenty of kid trips...my own and the next generation...where I learned some new knots and the kids almost learned some new words. But they gotta learn somehow. Right? And it's a great character builder...although I'm enough of a character as it is.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]It really chaps my hide when I hear a grownup yelling and swearing at the kids across the water. You can only guess what their feelings will be about fishing for the rest of their lives. Ya gotta make the trip about the kids when you take them fishing.
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Larry, that's good news. I had arthroscopic work done on my right knee back in 2011. The only problem I have with that knee now, ...... I can't predict wet weather 3 days in advance any more [  ]
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I like that Tandem flig diagram but I can't imagine what would happen if you hooked up with two cats at the same time on that rig, has that ever happened to you Pat?
Hopefully some of my recent flig donations have sent you some new customers, if I keep this up, I'll have to hit you up for some replacements pretty soon.[ ]
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[#0000FF]I have had a lot of catfish doubles while using two rods...one on each rod. But have never caught more than one on a single rod...even when fishing tandem jigs or fligs. Probably because catfish tend to be more solitary...even if they do congregate in the same general areas.
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[#0000FF]The two-rod double munch (by one cat) on Thursday was a first on fligs. But I was making a slow turn and both rigs were probably pretty close together. However, I have had cats take the baits on two different rods...and on one occasion the same fish slurped both mine and TubeBabe's nearby bait at the same time. But since we usually let the fish run a bit before setting the hook (while dragging bait) the potential for a "group gulp" is greater. Oh yeah, since her hook was deeper inside the fish's mouth, she got to claim the catch. I know how to keep peace in the fambly.
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[#0000FF]Wipers, on the other hand, DO school up and will climb on to both jigs at the same time. Very aggressive and competitive. I have had wiper doubles hooked up a few times but have never landed both fish. Two feisty wipers heading in different directions...on 6 or 8 pound leader usually means that something's gotta go. That results in one or both fish breaking off. I have landed one of the two wipers hooked a couple of times. But then I go back to fishing only a single lure after that.
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[#0000FF]Glad you like the fligs. And it is nice that you and Ira are flig missionaries. It has been fun seeing the reactions of folks when fish climb on a flig and hook themselves on the strike. Of course I will help you restock. I know the guy who makes them.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Howsomever...it is getting to be fishing time and making fligs really cuts into my schedule. I don't make these things to get rich. Far from it. They are very time-consuming and it takes a couple of days to whup up even a small batch. First I gotta drill out the foam plug. Then I do the basic shaping. After that...if it is a tailed flig...I have to put the hook in the vise and wrap on the tail. Then I cut the foam and insert the hook...and super glue it. Then comes the final smoothing and shaping. All that before painting, glittering and eyeing...and a finish coat.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]By actual timing it takes from 10 to 12 minutes to make each flig. If I charged any kind of labor charge nobody could afford them. But I work cheap...and I'm worth it.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I am happy that other folks like them and are enjoying good success with them. And I will keep on making them just to help others broaden their fishing horizons. But my wife is right. She says that my lure making - fly tying - rod building stuff "keep me off the streets and out of trouble". Also keeps me off the water. Everything has a down side.
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I don't want to cut into your fishing time but I'd be grateful to get a few more to restock, maybe on one of your future trips up to Willard. Ira found one of your new colors that worked well, the last time he and I were out with Robert. He called it pink but it looked more like an off colored bronze to me, I think he has already PMed you about that. I like the fligs with the tails best, that shiny tail seems to get them going.
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[#0000FF]As a member of the "frequent buyer club" you are always welcome to raid my stash.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Already got Ira fixed up.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]That color was clear Elecroflect pink paint over silver glitter. It almost glows. I do the same with the red, purple and green colors of that paint...over different colors of glitter for some neat effects.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I still use the plain larger heads at times for fishing larger minnows or chunks of meat. But the tails do add something to the profile and sparkle. At least the fish seem to approve.
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[#0000FF]Probably won't be back up that way until about the 4th week of April. Going to Arizona for a week to visit family and friends...no fishing. But I will give you a headsup when I plan a trip up there.
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went too sportsmans and they didn't have a clue what a flig is,, can you show uss what and how too present, the present??
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FLIGs are custom made by TubeDude........ Unless someone at Sportsman's is a BFT member, they probably don't know what they are. I'm sure TD will give you a detailed answer.
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[#0000FF]"FLIG" is my cutesy name for a floating jig. They have been around for years but I began making my own and have some unique sizes, shapes and colors. The Utah fishies vote for them.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Here are a couple of pictorial writeups that should tell you most of what you want to know. If you want to learn how to make your own I have a separate writeup on that...and will be glad to give serious tackle crafters a show and tell at my tackletorium.
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After you read TD's excellent writeups and until you manage to get some of his superbly crafted fligs, try threading a foam earplug onto a long-shanked hook. It easiest to shove the hook eye through the plug rather then work the plug around the hook bend. Add a drop of superglue to the shank as you work the plug into its final location.
A foam earplug will not float quite as heavy a bait as TD's fligs, but it will work to keep most baits off the bottom, which is the whole point. And the bright colors help, too.
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