Reject Steelhead Jigs Reincarnated As Shrimp Flies

With Salmon and Steelhead season approaching, I've been sorting fishing gear and tackle, mostly in my free time, but sometimes during those boring, dial in, listen only conference calls.  I have learned to multi task.

As I was sorting my salmon and steelhead jigs, which I've tied most of, there were a handful, ok, more than a handful,  that were my prototypes, meaning, they aren't very good, and no self respecting steelhead would ever take a second look at, let alone try to inhale it.  Never the less, they were in my jig box, just in case the fishing was so amazing that if ran out of the "good" jigs, I would have a few spares.  I know this makes sense to those of us who have separation anxiety with anything remotely related to fishing gear.

Anyway, I had an idea.  Steelhead are perfectionists, and if the presentation isn't perfect, you are wasting your time.  However, Rockfish, on the other hand eat anything that looks like it won't eat them first.  So, I'm thinking, what if I put these reject jigs to work as shrimp flies?  Sounds like a good idea to me.  I'm thinking if I put a little pink worm on the end or a curly tail, the rocks won't be able to help themselves.

I've never really used "shrimp Flies", but I have seen many guys do well with them.

Has anyone ever done this?  Here's what these rejects look like.  They are tied on jig hooks, with a dumbbell beadhead.

I am willing to bet the rocks would gobble those up as is. I had an issue with shrimp flies losing the little plastic tails and only had the pipe cleaner bodies, it didn't seem to matter the rockfish gobbled them up.

I am willing to bet the rocks would gobble those up as is. I had an issue with shrimp flies losing the little plastic tails and only had the pipe cleaner bodies, it didn't seem to matter the rockfish gobbled them up.

yes this. i've gone a step farther. mylar strips on the fly disappeared, didn't matter. then pipe cleaner disappeared, leaving bare hook - didn't matter. rockfish feeding frenzies are the bestest.