(09-12-2020, 07:45 PM)thatchergreg Wrote: Thanks guys, I'm going back to Willard Monday morning, I'll leave the spool engaged. This is my rookie year with fligs and different species have their own way of biting them. Catfish and burbot simply inhale them and run, trout tap at them and require a hookset.
These are what I was using Friday, chartreuse rainbow and spotted chartreuse. The large ones are on a 1/0 Fenwick worm hook, the small one is a #4 curved nymph hook.



The first time I uploaded this photo there was a Land Rover spam link, not sure why it worked this time.

Not bad for a rookie.  But there are several colors that work especially well at Willard.  In the attached photo I will refer you to the chartreuse perch, perple purch, fire tiger and blue-back silver.  Most colors will work but those seem to be effective year round...fished with small minnows, perch meat or other fish flesh.  They work well with crawlers most of the time too.  

One other comment.  I too like using marabou.  But it doesn't hold up well when used on fligs.  I prefer a few strands of holographic Flashabou.  It adds extra sparkle and holds up through a lot of fish chomping.  But there are some patterns in which marabou or hackle feathers might improve the attraction.

There is also the matter of using very sharp hooks and making sure there is a good hook gap if you want to get more hookups on the strike.  I use Matzuo sickle hooks but there are plenty of other sharp hooks...or you can touch them up with a hook hone.  But sharper is better.

If you ever want to visit my playroom and have me show you some of my painting tricks I'd be happy to share.

(09-13-2020, 12:32 AM)thatchergreg Wrote: Pat,
 
What are you using to make the silver look like chrome? I have CS vinyl paint and the silver looks opaque.

You can use silver paint as a base.  But as you have found, it is not very shiny.  I prefer a good white base.  I use glitter...mixed into clear gloss vinyl paint from CS components.  It takes practice to get the mixture just right...enough to cover the flig well but not too much so that it runs.  The key is to apply a first light coat...and rotate the drying flig with a pair of hemostats until the coat sets well enough so that it will not "migrate".  That is usually only about 45 seconds to 1 minute.  Then apply a second light coat over the first...making sure all of the gaps are filled in.  Generally no need to rotate the hook after the second coat...since in bonds to the first.  Then hang the hooks on a rack to finish drying...for at least 5 to 10 minutes before applying paint or eyes.

I have gone through hundreds of types of glitter...in almost every size and color available.  I have pretty much standardized on using fine or extra fine glitters...from Barlows or more recently from Hobby Lobby.  They have an extra fine glitter in many good colors...at a very good price, compared to others.  It is the one in the attached picture.


I am trying to attach links to the two halves of the tutorial I put together on Making Fligs.  Hope this works.