Re: [VFB] Awesome Hair Minnow for Bluegills or Crappie

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Jerry: Thanks for all the info... Yeah, around here most Crappie fishermen who use live minnows use a wire, #2 Crappie Hook... I hate to go much smaller than a #6 on Bluegills but you are right, they can take a big one, cause I have caught them on #2's. I think I just had an Idea that I may try. You can get "live worm" hooks at any Wal Mart made by several brands, and they are about a 5-6X hook, and I have a bunch of these in a size 8. Well, that would give me the long, slender body for the "minnows", but the hook would still be towards the tail end of the minnows. I wondered what held those heads in place (and the eyes) the flex loc and the 5 min epoxy sounds good to Me, Thanks again, Chuck   ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: vfb@troutnet.com Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 9:25 PM Subject: Re: [VFB] Awesome Hair Minnow for Bluegills or Crappie Chuck:   A couple of suggestions.  I tie similar patterns though I save the Awesome hair for salt water and pike.  Don't underestimate the size hook that bluegills or crappie can get down.  I use mainly salt water hooks to tie my minnow patterns.  A Gamakatsu SC15 is my favorite. I'll use size 4 and 2's to tie a 1 1/2 to 3 inch minnow.  If you don't want to use a salt water hook.  The Mustad 3366 is a decent choice, size 1 to 4.  Also check out "Mosquito" hooks and Drop shot hooks. If you can find Spinner Bait trailer hooks in smaller sizes. I have some in size 4 that are good for this type of fly.   One thing I've noticed, at least in this area, is that too much flash often spooks the fish in the local creek. So I tend to minimize my flash, using material like Angel Hair and blending it at a 1 to 1 ratio(1 pack of flash, 1 pack of hair) with some type of artificial hair.  I may have to try blending Awesome Hair with the other hairs and see what comes out.    With the smaller flies, you're going to have to be sparser with the material.  Normally I tie in a belly wing the length I want the fly to be.  The middle wing is tied a 1/4 to 1/2 inch shorter, top wing is the same length as the bottom wing.  I use clear mono thread, the thinnest that I can get hold of.  Once I've finished off the tying.  I add a drop of Zap-a-Gap to secure them.  After it dries, I'll hold the fly, keeping my fingers on the head area, then use a pet comb to come it out.  This helps taper the fly and get the knots and kinks out of the Awesome hair. Before adding eyes, I use some Flex-Loc(Byard carries it) to lightly coat the front of the fly, the length of the shank.  This will help hold the shape.  Add eyes, and then I coat the eyes with either silicone or 5 minute epoxy to make sure they stay on.   Jerry C "All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."