Float fishing with a bobber and jig is a killer technique for Steelhead! Although there are many variations of the Steelhead Jig, a basic marabou jig can be a great way to break into jig tying. It’s simple and easy to tie. Here is your step by step tutorial.
What you’ll need:
- Fly tying vise
- Thread bobbin
- Scissors
- Head cement (optional)
- 1/8 ounce jighead
- 6/0 Thread
- Marabou in your preferred colors
- Flashabou
How to start tying your marabou jig
Lay out all your materials and get your jig head secured in the tying vise.
Wrapping on the thread
Wrap the 6/0 thread around the hook shank. Tightly wrap it over itself to anchor it to the hook. Every thread wrap you make throughout the entire process should be tight, almost to the breaking strength!
Tying in first marabou
Pick out a quality marabou quill and cut the stem off. Tightly wrap it onto the shank.
Tying in second marabou
Pick out a second quill of marabou and trim off the stem. Wrap it onto the hook shank.
Tying in flashabou
If you want to add a little bit of flash to your offering, tie in some flashabou or crystal flash. Tie it in from the center of the flash, then we will finish it in the next step.
Finishing flashabou
Grab the flashabou over the jighead, and pull it back over the marabou. Then tie it in.
Thread wrapping finish
Once you are finished tying in all the materials, then you need to make a few overhand knots with the thread around the hook shank to finish the tie. I will then put a drop or two of head cement on the finished thread to protect it from wear. However, if you are fishing within a day or two, I’d avoid it because it takes time for the cement to cure and stop smelling.
The final product
A beautiful marabou Steelhead jig that I’m going to add to the arsenal. Now it’s time to go fishing!