The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Every angler has their own favourite fishing hole, and most use a preferred rod, line, bait, and hook. But how many design and use their own lures? Well, one for sureÉ and he's Snow Lake biology / chemistry / art teacher Steve Deighton. In handing out homemade Lake Trout lures to his family and friends this past Christmas, Deighton noted he has been rather despondent of late over the price and quality of available fishing tackle. As a result, he decided to take a shot at producing his own jigs. He says they are inspired through the wisdom of local fishing aficionado (or is that a-fish-ianado) Greg Foord as well as Deighton's own time on the water. "They synthesize chemistry, biology, and artworkÉ funny how I teach all of those things," Deighton says of his creations. In relation to the biology aspect of his jigs, the angler notes they have a cisco shape to them, with glowing 3-D eyes, which Greg Foord has advised are a must. The tails feature red feathers to show gills or blood. Both, Deighton says, are proven to increase strikes from fish. The tails also include a combination of Flasabou, Maribou, and Bucktail, making the extremity pulse and shimmer underwater. "Basically, it looks alive from any angle," said Deighton. The chemistry aspect of the jigs unfold in their finish. They are painted with Auto Air Acrylic paint, House of Colour White, Pearl Metal Flake (sparkle), and finally coated with six applications of Ultra 7000 Automotive Urethane Clearcoat. "I have painted motorcycles and trucks with this stuff, and they don't rust for 10 or more years," explained Deighton. "It's the most durable paint around." In finishing off the tail and trailer hook, Deighton ties them with a 3/0 Kevlar thread, which has the added appeal of being bulletproof, should that need ever arise. This thread, the hair, and feathers are all sealed in place with Industrial Systems G1 epoxy resin, which is used to make aircraft. "This jig will hold together and stay colourful for years," Deighton declares. Finally, for the artwork, all one has to do is look at one of these lures. They are a thing of beauty that makes you openly wonder how a massive fish could possibly keep away from it. They'd almost be jumping into your tackle box trying to get at them! Deighton says even though construction of one of these lures sounds like a daunting task, he enjoys the undertaking and has developed a process. "I do 10 at a time and only do one step each day," he said. "It takes about one hour, total time, to make one. When it's Ð35 and too cold to ice fish, I can still enjoy the sport through tackle craft and dream of the next adventure. There really is no better feeling than fooling a big Trout on a homemade lure." These lures, called the Reed Laker Jig, are not available in stores, and Deighton says, at this time, he has no plans to offer them up in such a venue. In the interim, he will allocate them to local people, who share his passion for fishing. My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays.
