The Fly Fishing Show, 2010

Hi all.  My computer is still out, but I can post one last post before the loaner computer leaves back home. 

I will be tying at the Fly Fishing Show in Denver on January 8-10, 2010.  I'd like to invite everyone to stop by and say hi to me, so come and visit me.  Until next time.

Crashed computer

For Christmas, I received a crashed computer!  So for now I am down and out until I get it in someone's capable hands to see what they can do to fix it.  Enjoy some of the older post for now.
Stay tuned! 

Thanks,

Juan

Tying the Gypsy Caddis

Chad Gauerke Tying Demo 12/19/09 from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
Chad spins up one of his Gypsy Caddis in this video from a tying demo at Ghillies Fly shop on 12/19/09. Chad uses a lot of European materials to make some of the buggiest flies out there. They are a real treat to look at as well.

Chad Gauerke: European Caddis Patterns; Czech Nymphs and Slovenia Sedges 12/19/09

Come and watch Chad tie some of his awesome creations. Chad has created some great patterns for this area and beyond.  Come and learn some new patterns to put in front of those picky South Platte fish.  It will be a good one.  More info on Chad:

Chad has dived into the Euro School of Tying creating and changing patterns developed in Eastern Europe for our waters here in North America. Chad uses a mix of both American and European materials in his flies and jumps at the chance to take our patterns and add a new twist to them using the materials from across the big pond. Come and see what Magic Shrimp Foil is used for and the stuff called Magic Body Quill, Siman's Peacoc-k Dubbing, Live body and some other materials from Eastern Europe.

Chad is a featured tyer in Rick Takahashi and Jerry Hubka's Modern Midge Book as well as a Tier for the Denver Fly Fishing Show, numerous fly tying demos at shops up and down the Front Range.

Chad also has a blog with more information and more great patterns. 
Check it out here: http://fathernatureslifeonthefly.blogspot.com/
He also has flies here: http://www.flytyingclips.com/

Ghillies Fly Shop
Colorado Springs
10:00am-12:00pm

C's Ascending Gypsy Caddis

Magic Quill Green RS3

The Slovenian Gypsy

Working with Foam Tying Class 12/18/09

Foam flies are some of the easiest flies to tie. This class is designed to make it fun and easy to tie durable patterns. Learn to tie the Club Sandwich, Hopper Juan and Amy’s Ant. These patterns are fun to tie and even more fun to fish. The Club Sandwich is a bigger fly that passes as a hopper or stonefly, the Hopper Juan is a hot new hopper pattern that works well as an attractor and stonefly pattern. The Amy's Ant is a great general all around attractor that passes for a caddis, ant, stonefly or hopper. The class will cover types of foam, how to cut foam bodies and how to glue and make sandwiched foam bodies. This will be a fun class to take and make sure you bring your kids. They tie for free. Limited to 6 students so call Gary to sign up. Step by step flies projected on HDTV. Cost $25.00

Ghillies Fly Shop
719-531-5413

The One Eyed Hopper Juan

Using a Unibobber for the parachute post, I have created a spinoff of the Hopper Juan. I'll have to give these a try this summer and see how they work.

Tying Soft Milking Eggs

Walt Mueller at Ghilles Fly Shop this past Saturday.  Soft eggs are definately one of the more popular options out there right now.  Teh South Platte fish love to eat eggs and these have always done well for me.  Take a look at the new beaded eggs that "The Otter" ties in this video.

    
Walt Mueller Tying Soft milking eggs. from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
The "Otter" tying some of his soft milking eggs at a fly tying demo on 12/12/09 at Ghillies Fly Shop. Walt is the inventor of the "soft milking eggs" for fly fishing.

Walt Mueller Fly Tying Demo

December 12th 10:00am-12:00pm
Ghillies Fly Shop
3314 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO

Come and visit and learn how to tie eggs the right way.  The master will show you how to tie his soft milking eggs that are fast and durable.  I have seen Walt tie these and this is a demo you can't miss.  We all know how South Platte fish love to eat eggs.  Free snacks and coffee.  Watch in HDTV.  More about Walt. 


Walt Mueller, Jr., aka "The Otter" (always in the water and usually catching fish), has been an avid fly tier and fisherman for over 50 years and resides along the Blue River in the Colorado Rockies. While also known for his many small nymph patterns, Walt has the distinction of developing and marketing the original "Soft Milking Egg" fly patterns to the industry.


"The Otter" initially developed these realistic and deadly milking egg patterns for the Great Lakes steelhead areas that he fishes, they have also proven to be exceptional flies for all the cold water fish species worldwide -- from South Africa, Japan, Europe, Russia, New Zealand, Alaska, Canada, and the entire USA. His Otter's egg patterns are recognized worldwide, and are "Second to None."
 
Check out his web site here:  http://www.softmilkingegg.com/
 

Montana Fly Company Ice Emerger

This morning I received a nice e-mail from Adam Trina of Montana Fly Company letting me know that they have replaced the picture of the Ice Emeger that I bitc*&$ about on their website (http://hopperjuan.blogspot.com/2009/09/montana-fly-co-to-carry-ice-emerger.html).  I can now sleep better as it is a true represention to the fly I submitted.  I appreciate that MFC stepped up and made changes needed to not only my fly, but other photos that needed to be a little better.  Thank you Adam & MFC.

Mark Tracy Fly Tying Demo 12/05/09

On Dec.5, Mark Tracy, a tier from Windsor, will conduct a session on "Old Materials, New Ideas." He has developed a number of new patterns and an indicator system that has people talking. He also contributed all the product photography to the recently published book, "Modern Midges."

Ghillies Fly Shop
3314 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
719-531-5413
10:00am-12:00pm
 

Copper John Tying Class 12/04/09

The Copper John Class has been the most popular class that we offer.  It's no wonder since the best selling nymph is the Copper John and we all know that it just catches fish.   I will instruct you step by step how to tie it correctly;  heavy and durable. Watch in high defination TV.   Bring your own tools if you have them otherwise we will provide.  All materials will be also be provided. 

Friday Dec. 4th. 6:30-8:30 PM

Ghillies Fly Shop
719-531-5413
Call to sign up. $25.00. Kids under 18 are free of charge.

The way it should be

I am from New Mexico and I love good food. There is a big difference between Mexican food and New Mexican food. In Colorado, we have lots of Mexican food. Not New Mexican food though. You would think that since New Mexico is between Colorado and Mexico, it would be a little more common but the search continues.

I was in New Mexico this weekend and was able to visit one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Fe. When I lived in Los Alamos, it was a common stop during the off season in Santa Fe, if there even is such a thing in Santa Fe. The place is Tomasita's and it is near the Santa Fe train depot. If you get a chance to ride the Railrunner to or from Albuquerque, do so and eat at Tomasita's. That is if you crave something good and a taste of New Mexico.

You could always wash it down with some Pecos River water later.

Super Combo for a growing boy.  Red chile, green chile, tamales, chile renello, enchiladia, taco and sopapillas with honey butter.  Dang, it doesn't get better than this!

And the winner is.............

.....I'll tell you in a minute. 

I wanted to thank every one who left comments and invite those that didn't to do so next time.  You can't win if you don't leave a comment.  I need to start thinking of the next contest!!

Stay tuned for more tying videos and more flies to be posted on the blog. 


With the # 16 pick it is .................Kelly L of the Itinerant Angler
Kelly shoot me your address and I will get these tied up and sent your way.
juan@anglerscovey.com

Thanks for all those that participated and let's do this again soon.

Juan  

Super Duper Free Giveaway!!!!!

Here is the deal.  I am doing a random drawing on this blog.  Here is how it works.

1.  Leave a comment here about anything.  Let me know what you think about the blog, what you would like to see or any other comment.  What are your favorite flies, places to fish, flies to tie, ect. Only one comment please.

2.  Leave some sort of identifying information like a name, location, link, email address (it's up to you). Please do not e-mail me.   

3.  On Monday evening, I will visit http://www.random.org/ and have a number generated.  I will then list the winners name and number on a new blog post.  The winner will have 2 days after I post to contact me with their mailing address. If I don't hear from the winner after 2 days I will select a new winner and then I will post it on the blog.

4.  Winner will receive 1/2 dozen # 22 BWO Ice Emergers and a 1/2 dozen # 8 Hopper Juans in Tan/Brown.

5.  I will ship once flies are completed.   I will ship to the US only (sorry). 

That's it.  Have fun.

PMD Ice Emerger #22

Tan/Brown Hopper Juan

Vincent Su tying Demo 11/21/09

Vincent Su Parachute 11/21/09 from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
Vincent Su ties a perfect parachute using his 720 vise. This vise makes it easy to tie perfect parachutes. See it in action here.

Tying Demo with Vincent Su

Vincent Su will be at Ghillies Fly Shop on Friday November 21st from 10:00am-12:00pm.  Vincent is from Denver Colorado and is one of the best tiers in the area.  He is also the inventor of the 720 vise.  You may have seen this vise, if not click here for his website.  He can tie some amazing flies on his vise and makes tying parachutes look super easy.  I guess they are if you use the 720 vise.  Come check him out and see his super mad skills in action.  You will be impressed!!

Ghillies Fly Shop
3314 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO
719-531-5413

Projected on HDTV.

Size 30 Extended body parachute tied perfectly!

Para mayfly.

Tying Midges, Friday, 11/20/09

A class to cover different patterns and how to tie midges. This class is aimed toward the beginnig tier as well as the more advanced tier. The flies covered will be some of the more popular and successful patterns out there.  While midges are small and easy to tie, if one does not know where to start or how to imitate the naturals, this class will teach you what you need to know. Patterns we will cover include: U.V. Pearl Jam Midge, K.F. Emerger, UFO Midge, Flasher UFO Midge, Rainbow Warrior, Rojo Midge and the CDC Hanging Midge.  This will be a great class to get you started in tying great flies. 

Ghillies Fly Shop 719-531-5413
Call to sign up.  Limited to 6 students.  Kids under 18 are free.  All materials/hooks/vises are provided or bring your own.  Class cost $25.00
 
UFO-Cream

Rojo Midge

Rainbow Warrior

KF Emerger

UFO Flasher

UV Pearl Jam Midge

Jim Wallach, Tying Demo at Ghillies Fly Shop 11/14/09

These videos are best if you hit play and then immediately hit pause to let the video load a bit so it's not so choppy.



Jim Wallach, Fly tying Demo, Ghillies Fly Shop 11/14/09 from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
Jim Wallach tying the Sunken Trico/BWO at Ghillies Fly Shop tying Demo on 11/14/09. Ths is a fairly quick and easy fly to tie. It looks like a killer pattern for those picky fish.


Darlon Midge, Jim Wallach, 11/14/09 from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
Jim shows us one of his favorite patterns to use during the winter. It's an easy fly to tie.

Jim Wallach, Fly tying Demo, Saturday 11/14

The Nov. 14 session will feature Jim Wallach, a great tier from Denver with a program titled "Seeing Black and White - Tricos and Midges." Wallach began fly fishing and fly tying in Chicago some 25 years ago and has lived in Colorado the past six years. He has fished and tied flies for virtually every fresh-water gamefish in the United States and has operated a custom-tying business, JW Custom Flies. Jim is planning to tie the Darlon Hatching Midge and CDC Emergent Midge from "Modern Midges", Parachute quill Body Trico , Trico Nymph, & Sunken Trico Spinner. This will be a great demo to learn some new winter patterns.  Join us at 10:00AM on Saturday.
Ghillies Fly Shop
3314 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80918-5730
(719) 531-5413


"Charmer"

"CDC Emerging Midge"

"Sunken Trico Convertable"

"CDC Stacker Emerger"

"Silent Stone"

"AK-47 Hopper"

Videos of Carl Pennington's Flies on 11/07/09

D-Rib Golden Stone Fly by Carl Pennington, 11/07/09 from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
Carl Pennington Fly Tying Demo at Ghillies Fly Shop on Nov. 07, 2009, Colorado Springs, CO. The D-Rib Golden Stone is one of the coolest flies I have seen. It is a perfect match to our local stones and is a very durable fly. Try this in any of the stretchs of the South Platte River. Carl is from Denver, CO and is a fly designer for Montana Fly Company.



HMD (Home Made Device) Fly by Carl Pennington, 11/07/09 from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
Carl Pennington Fly Tying Demo at Ghillies Fly Shop on Nov. 07, 2009, Colorado Springs, CO. The HMD is a great imitation of a caddis..or a scud..or a buggy bug. It will just produce for you and catch fish. Give it a try. Carl is from Denver, CO and is a fly designer for Montana Fly Company.

Got Hoppers?

Tying Demo on Saturday 11/07/09, Carl Pennington

Join us this Saturday as Carl Pennington travels down from Denver to show us some of his latest creations.  Carl is a fly designer for Montana Fly Company, recently having them pick up his D-Rib Golden Stone and Biot Emerger.    Carl is also a fly tying instructor for Anglers All in Littleton CO.  Free snacks and coffee to enjoy as you watch in HD video.

See Carl's flies and a bio here:
http://www.danica.com/flytier/cpennington/cpennington.htm

Check out his blog here:
http://cpsflyfishingandflytying.blogspot.com/

Ghillies Fly Shop

3314 Austin Bluffs Pkwy Colorado Springs, CO 80918
719-531-5413

Demo starts at 10:00AM

DH Hopper

D-Rib Golden Stone

Biot Emerger

Working with CDC, Tying Class this Friday 11/06/09

Join me as we kick off the winter 2009/2010 fly tying class schedule. 

Ghillies Fly Shop

3314 Austin Bluffs Pkwy

719-531-5413

Call to sign up.  Limited to 6 students.  6:30-8:30PM

All materials and tools will be provided.  The cost is $25.00. 

All classes in High Definition video.

This year starts with learning how to work with and use CDC.  CDC flies are some of the easiest and most useful flies to tie.  Come and learn how to tie the following flies: 

CDC Loop Wing Emerger, CDC Low Rider, CDC B-WO, CDC Caddis and CDC Compara Dun.

Fly Tying Demo on Saturday October 31st, Larry Jurgens

Come check out the first of many visits from some exceptional fly tiers form around the area. All flies will be projected on a HDTV in High Definition.

Ghillies Fly Shop
3314 Austin Bluffs Pkwy Colorado Springs, CO 80918
719-531-5413
Demo starts at 10:00AM
Larry Jurgens is with Front Range Anglers of Boulder Colorado and will be here to dazel you with his magic. Larry has been tying flies since the early 60's and has probably forgotten more tricks than we will ever know.

Here is a short bio:
I started tying flies in the early 1960’s. I take pleasure in tying and fishing standard patterns! But, I really enjoy tying patterns substituting different materials and techniques to outwit the wily prey. When I do come up with a new and/or changed trout pattern I do my initial testing on the various species of Sunfish. Then depending on the pattern, it is on to the more challenging waters containing Trout.
Per my experience it is harder to catch a large Sunfish when it is NOT on a spawning bed than it is to catch a trout in a swift-moving stream. Large Sunfish will scrutinize a fly with a jaundiced eye before they will partake in the meal! But, remember this is only my opinion.


Larry will tie several of his great patterns such as:

Flex Baetis Nymph V1

Flex Baetis Emerger V2

Iron Bridge Baetis V1

Brown & Blue Chironomid V1

Brown 30° Caddis Emerger V1

Brown 30° Caddis V2

Black Iron Bridge Midge V2

Antero Special V1 (Callibaetis Emerger Cripple)

Larry has a great blog located here:  http://lojsflytyingbugstuff.blogspot.com/