[ambler]

I have read everything I could find about tying and fishing jigs over the past few months, and I still have some questions. I have no doubt that they are essentially the same as many of the flies I swing. And have no doubt that jigs are very effective: I have watched as my friends raid my fly boxes of big bunny patterns to drift under a float, because they are the only thing catching. But in general, drifters out-fish swingers by a wide margin. If jig-type lures are as effective as I know they, why are drifted jigs more effective than swung jigs?

God, I hope it's not just me...

 

[Zach Sanchioni]

Fished under a float the jig is in the strike zone for a much longer period of time and the presentation is easier to control. Added weight keeps in down as opposed to swinging them with a sink tip. The longer your bait is in the zone the more fish you will hook IMO. Im not saying that one method is better than another, just whatever floats your boat. Hope this helps.

 

[cobble]

During low flows or heavily fished waters, I've found fish to prefer dead drifted flies over swung flies. Perhaps the weight keeping the gear in the strike zone and the dead drift helps produce more hook ups than with the swung jig.

 

[Lastcar]

Does anyone have any experience or better yet sucsess drifting a big stonefly nymph or glo bug under a float on the pin/baitcaster?

I have heard of sucsesses fishing stonefly nypmhs for summers but how about winters? I have also heard of glo bugs catching summers and winters on a fly rod so one would have to think the drift on the pin would be effective.

Not sure why I would replace a roe with a yarn fly other than a far more natural presentation. I have yet to see nylon mesh bags of eggs floating by other than on a hook....although one should not argue with a caught fish.

 

[Zach Sanchioni]

Does anyone have any experience or better yet sucsess drifting a big stonefly nymph or glo bug under a float on the pin/baitcaster?

I have heard of sucsesses fishing stonefly nypmhs for summers but how about winters? I have also heard of glo bugs catching summers and winters on a fly rod so one would have to think the drift on the pin would be effective.

Not sure why I would replace a roe with a yarn fly other than a far more natural presentation. I have yet to see nylon mesh bags of eggs floating by other than on a hook....although one should not argue with a caught fish.

I have caught Steelhead on big stone fly patterns under the float back here in Ontario. We use them in the dead of winter when they hatch on the snow during a thaw (usually January). We also drift glo bugs under floats, again mostly in the winter and in clear water. I haven't caught alot of fish on either, just because I don't have tons of confidence in them and don't usually have to resort to them to catch fish. In fall go to bait is roe and winter go to is jigs. Merry X-mas.
Peace

 

[vicsteve]

Fished under a float the jig is in the strike zone for a much longer period of time and the presentation is easier to control. Added weight keeps in down as opposed to swinging them with a sink tip. The longer your bait is in the zone the more fish you will hook IMO. Im not saying that one method is better than another, just whatever floats your boat. Hope this helps.

I agree, as well, when fished beneath a float on a short leader, the jig is bouncing up and down and undulating like crazy, which should illicit a strike.
I'm looking forward to trying my luck with jigs this year. Maybe later in the season when the water warms up?

 

[young gun]

any time is a good time with jigs.