Colorado Springs Fly Fishing Show

Stop by and say hi.  I'll be there tying around 12-1:00pm.  There will be free pizza and that's why I said I'd be there!  :)  There is going to be a ton of other things to check out while you are there.  Take a look at the web site here.

The Buggy Arizona Prince

I had a couple of requests to tie up a recent pattern that I posted a week or so ago.  The Buggy Arizona Prince is my variation of the Arizona Prince tied by Jeremy Davies.  I added a collar of brown dyed starling  for the soft hackle so it would add to the overall bugginess of the pattern.  I then use a super secret dubbing comb to tease out more fibers to make it shaggy.  This pattern style is a more durable variation of the original with also having a bigger gap due to the scud hook.  Although, I don't ever think this variation will ever replace the original, natural pattern, it will be close due to the ease and durability.  Give these a try next time you need a buggy, heavy pattern.


Tying the Buggy Arizona Prince Nymph from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
The Arizona Prince comes from Jeremy Davies and this is a variation of that pattern.  I have added a bit of soft hackle to make it a buggier pattern.  This is a lot easier and faster to tie than the original Prince.  Give them a try.

Chubby Chernobyl

Here's a pattern that can have you dreaming of summer time and big dry flies along the banks!  The Chubby Chernobyl is as big and bright as any fly out there.  I haven't fished this particular fly, but have fished many like it over the years.  I tied some up to try out this summer, which will be here before we know it.  I am not complaining, just trying to be prepared!    For those of you who have fished this pattern and have had success, leave a comment about this fly.  I am sure there will be a few.  

Images from the 2011 West Denver TU Tying Clinic

Here are a few images from the 35th Annual West Denver T.U. tying clinic.  I wasn't able to get many shots as it was busy for most of the day and sneaking in to get close up shots was hard to do.  There were over 50 great tiers from Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, Wyoming and Texas.  If you have never been, I highly recommend that you get to next years' event.

 Carl tying up some Pennington's Golden Stone

 Juan's Buggy Arizona Prince Nymph

 MFC Hook Box

 Beginner's area

 Bob Dye and Pat Dorsey from Blue Quill

 Them midges are small!

 Theo's Golden Stone

Rick Takahashi telling another story.  I wonder if he tied any flies during the day?  :)

35th Annual West Denver T. U. Fly Tying Clinic.

It's that time of year again.  Time for one of the best fly tying events out there.  The 35th Annual Fly Tying Clinic.  

FEATURING DOZENS OF EXCELLENT FLY TIERS from Colorado and  Neighboring states.  This is the area's premier fly tying clinic. The entrance fee is $10.00. A $2 off coupon is available at your local fly shop. Children 12 and under are free.

Saturday

February 12, 2011  
9:00 am to 3:00 PM

Jefferson County Fairgrounds

Westbound 6th Ave. Exit at Indiana St. , go West on the south service road to the Fairgrounds entrance. Look for the auditorium which has lighted marque sign or just follow the people walking in. 
Don't miss this opportunity to chat with some of your favorite tyers and make some new contacts.  

FlyTyingClips.com

Have you had the chance to check out this site?  Herman DeGala has created what I feel is the most unique website out there.  It offers a 360 degree view of flies.  Most patterns listed have recipes so you can gather materials to tie the flies shown.

I am honored to be part of this special site.  Getting listed on Herman's site is by invitation only and I was asked last year to provide some flies.  I quickly mailed some out and a few days later, they were up.  I appreciate the effort that Herman goes to, to provide us with this site.  Thanks Herman!

Listed below are 3 flies that I gave Herman last week when we ran into each other.  These came out of my box and although I wish I could have given him a lot more, I could only find 3 to give him.  The new iStone and the Colorado Caddis were two of the ones I gave him.  I don't claim the Colorado Caddis as mine as I stole it from Midgeman's blog but that pattern doesn't even resemble what I have found listed as the Colorado Caddis.    I put my own twist on it but have kept the same name.  I am sure it could qualify as a new fly but since I stole it......

Some of the world's best tiers have flies displayed on this site, originally tied by them.  It is a great reference site so go grab a warm or cold beverage and take a look here:

 "Tungsten Hot Shot"

"Tungsten Golden iStone"

 "Tungsten Colorado Caddis"

Do you know where your hackle is?

So I have been in 3 fly shops in the last 2 days and for some silly reason, all the colored grizzly saddle hackle is gone.  What is the cause of this?  Well it is fashionable women.  It seems that the new fad is to have your hairstylist add long colored saddle hackle (known as feathers) to the roots of the hair.  It is expected to last around 2 months and you can even curl the feathers.  So in the Colorado Springs and Denver area, hairstylists have been calling and gobbling up any of the colored Whiting and Keough saddles.  They can then turn around and add these to their clients hair for $20-$45 per style.  So it seems that these individual feathers cost the clients about $10.00 per feather.  Dang, if I only I could have seen this coming, I could have bought up some of the finer hackle and held on until all the supply was exhausted and I could have been rich!  Check out some of the following pictures to see what I am talking about and the next time you need some of that saddle hackle for some buggers and all the fly shops are out,  just remember that you might have to call up some of the hairstylists and beg for a few hackles to tie a few flies.  And don't be surprised if they don't know why the heck you would need some feathers or what a Woolly Bugger is.  Just remember, this too (thankfully) shall go the way of the hammer-pants...

Click here for more info...if you want.   

"Bundles"

Happenings this weekend

1.  Copper John Fly Tying Class at Ghillies Fly Shop.  Friday Night, 6:30-8:30.  $25.00 All materials provided.  This has been a very popular class and it will not only teach you how to build a bombproof Copper John, but it also teaches you tricks to use on other patterns.

2.  Vincent Sue Tying demo at Ghillies on Saturday, 01/29 at 10:00am.  Free!
Vincent is the creator of the 720 Vise and if you want to see this thing in action, stop by and check it out.  Vincent ties some of the best looking flies out there including some parachutes and extended bodies.  Don't miss this demo!                        

3.  Juan Ramirez (That's me) Tying Demo at Hook Fly Fishing in Denver 12:00pm ( I think!)
     I'll be tying up some of my patterns including the new iStone.  Stop by for some stickers and some general B.S.  

Tying the U.V. Pearl Jam Midge Video

Here is a short video on tying my U.V. Pearl Jam Midge.  It's an easy tie and a good winter pattern.  Tie some up and give them a shot.


Tying the U.V. Pearl Jam Midge from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
This is a variation of the Disco Midge that I call the U.V. Pearl Jam Midge.  It works great during the winter when midges are always on the menu.  Easy to tie, I make sure I have plenty of these on my midge box.

What type of angler are you?

Some famous dude that's been on TV

Are you the type of fisherman who goes to all the fly fishing show, free tying demos, and T.U. meetings and know who's who in the fly fishing /fly tying world?  or...

Are you the angler who just fishes and has never been to any shows, tying demos or T.U. meetings?  Are you the type that bought a new rod when top of the line rods cost $495 and could care less about the new Silica Nano Matrix now being used in rods?  You know how to use it and it's not what's being used, but how it's being used.  Or.....

Do you just know someone like this?  :)

I would definitely fall into the 1st category more so than the 2nd.  I am a gear head and just love to have the newest products out there.  I hang out in fly shops and find reasons to buy new materials and love to see other people tie flies.  I have friends who have the crappiest gear, but know how to use it and could care less about what's happening off the stream.  Some of them can't pronounce the names of fly patterns, but can sure catch fish on them.  So where do you fall or where does your buddy fall?

Jamie

She loves to tie flies.
She loves her stuffed kitty, "Meow".
She knows the difference between a rod and a pole.
She is 4.

Just a lazy Sunday

I watched the 2 games on today and in between I played around a bit.  Here is something I tied.  It's a Caddis Pupa, tied with glass beads as the body and covered with epoxy.  Added to it are hen feather tips tied as wing buds and pheasant tail antenna and ostrich herl as the head.  Super buggy, it looked good in my test tank (the sink).  Now to tie a few more to stash away and hope to remember I  have them when the time comes.

#16 Caddis Green