The advantage to a jig is NOT that it is weighted, nor that the weight is in the extreme forward position. Nor is it necessarily the fishing action which people describe as 'jigging'. The up-down movement of a weighted fly does NOT duplicate the action of a jig.
What makes a jig a different fly is that the leader attachment point is BEHIND the weight on the hook. What that does is create unpredictability in the direction the fly darts when the leader is pulled. Remove the predictability in movement and you have become less mechanical in your retrieve. That's why jigs can be so effective. I never have used them in flyfishing because I had no idea they were available in such light weights (1/100th, 1/80th, and 1/64th oz.) I suppose you could design a jig on a regular beadhead fly just by providing some sort of leader attachment point in back of the head down the shank. Worth some experimentation, anyway.
Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
Ed Engelman wrote:
I recall reading an interview with Bob Clouser (about 4 years ago) related to jigs and fly fishing.
When Bob was asked what he thought about people comparing his fly to a jig he said, (Something to the effect of) that he was proud to have his flies compared to one of the most successful lures ever devised.
While I don't use jigs, I do jig with Clousers. Especially my woodchuck hair wing / bead chain flies.
