It’s not uncommon for new flies, styles and patterns to emerge from combinations of other well established ones. Some turn out really well – some not quite as well. But when you combine the superior mobility of a zonker with the basic principle of the upside down properties of a a jig hook, I say we’ve got something good.
Fishing cold water often requires fishing deep and slow – a a zonker on a jig hook fits every criteria one could wish for. Using a soft fur strip for the wing ensures mobility – even when the fly is almost static. The slightest movement of the fly and the zonker pulsates. The jig hook combined with the bead chain eyes makes sure the hook fishes hook-point up and reduces the risk of losing the fly in a snag on the bottom.
Whether you want to tie a minute bait fish zonker jig for picky, cold water trout or a large one for predators, we have the hooks you need. We have the FW 550/551 Mini Jig, which come size 2-14. We also have the FW 554/555 CZ Mini Jig, which has a comparatively longer shank than the FW 550/551. For the big critters we have the TP 650 26 Degree Bent Streamer in the Trout Predator-series. Not exactly a jig hook (it has a horisontal eye, for instance), but the bent front part of the shank will help you tie upside flies, zonkers included. The PR 370 in the Predator-series has a more aggressive, 60 degree bend, closer to that of a traditional jog hook, only quite a bit larger. And lastly the PR 374, which has a 90 degree bend and a vertical hook eye. All in all a traditional jig hook – apart from the size of course.
We let Håkan loose to give you some inspiration to tie, and try, a jig zonker on your home water. Follow along these step-by-step photos by Håkan.
