The Slim Shady Splitback PMD Nymph

The Slim Shady Splitback PMD was designed to take advantage of the fish that are eating emerging PMD nymphs duding the summer. I've watched fish lined up and pick off every bug that drifted by in the top column of the water when they were emerging. This fly represents that exact stage when thy are splitting their wing case open to crawl out. The yellow simulates the lighter colored adult PMD as it emerges. I've also fished this pattern as an attractor and also as a Yellow Sally nymph.

I am still alive guys!  I haven't been doing much on this page since it seems like everything shifted over to Facebook and Instagram.  If you are are still here, leave me a message. 

The Tungsten Slim Shady Baetis

By adding two beads to a Slim Shady, it now becomes a heavy dropper fly or a heavy single baetis nymph that can be used in a nymph rig with no weight. Looking for a small euro nymph? Yep, that too.

Hook: Daiichi 1270, TMC 200R, Size 18-20
Beads: 2-1.5mm Tungsten Beads
Thread: MFC 8/0 Light Brown
Tail: Micro Fibbets, Split or Hackle
Rib: Juan's Slim Rib, Brown-e-mail me to order
Thorax: Thread/beads
Wingcase: Brown or Black Medium Holographic Tinsel
Legs: 12 Fibers of Flouro Fibre, Shrimp Pink, Black or Brown
Resin: Deer Creek Diamond Fine

Tungsten Slim Shady from "Hopper" Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.

The 2019 Denver Fly Fishing Show

It's that time again!!  Once again, I'll be hanging out at the Denver Fly Fishing Show twisting up some of my popular and newer creations such as: The Slim Shady 5.0, The Money Midge, The Pale Ale Midge, The Jedi Master Baetis and the never before seen Super Nova PMD and Baetis.  

I'll also have plenty of Slim Rib with me for sale.  If you see this here, and want some, the blog special price is $2 per bag.   You have to mention that you saw it here though to get the price.  

See you there!  

https://flyfishingshow.com/denver-co/

Tying the Pale Ale Midge

Merry Christmas!  I hope this finds you and your loved ones doing well.  I recently released a new tying video on tying a new pattern of mine, The Pale Ale Midge.
The Pale Ale Midge was designed to longer, more slender Chironomidae (Midge Larva) that often times show up in late spring.  When they are available, fish often key into them and seem to enjoy them.
Hook: Daiichi 1270, TMC 200R size 18-22
Thread:  8/0 Yellowish color.  Primrose, Lt. Cahill, Cream
Body:  Thread
Rib:   Clear Slim Rib
Marker:  Bic Mark-It, Honey Brown
Resin:  Deer Creek Damond Fine

The Money Midge

The Money Midge is a great little pattern that I've been fishing for a few years now.  I've tested it on the picky trout of the South Platte River as well as the Dolores River trout.  The Dolores River and Cheeseman Canyon will make or break a fly pattern.  It's simple, with just two materials.  One material is my "Slim Rib" material.  It's a great ribbing material for small flies and is offered in 5 colors.  I tie these in size 18-24 on a TMC 2488 hook.  Light Brown is my favorite color that matches most midges.
View below or head over to Vimeo to watch. https://vimeo.com/303401295

New MFC flies for 2019

I am pleased to be able to tell you guys about a few new patterns coming to you next spring.  Building on my Slim Shady pattern, I've added tungsten beads to them as well as a split back pattern.  I've even put the two together and have a tungsten split back pattern.  Perfect as a dropper of a chubby!  These patterns should be available to you next spring, ready for the BWO hatches.  Also included for 2019 is my Money Midge pattern in light brown and red.   If you like a little bling on your pattern, make sure to get the Flashy Money Midge!  Both patterns have worked wonders on the South Platte River, the perfect testing grounds.

The Slim Shady 5.0 Tying Video.

It's been a while and since tons of people have asked, I've released a new tying video on how to tie my pattern, The Slim Shady 5.0. While this isn't a drastically new way to tie a fly, I have been using a material I call "Slim Rib".  A ribbing material that is smaller than anything currently out there.  I am not limiting it to just the Slim Shady though.  Other patterns use it currently and I'll show more of those in the future.  But for now, enjoy the video and if you tie some up and fish with them, I'd like to see the results.
Thanks as always for following the blog.


The Slim Shady 5.0 from "Hopper" Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.

The Denver Fly Fishing Show

I will be in Denver this weekend at The Fly Fishing Show and would love to be able to chat with all the fishy people out there about flies, fishing and food.  I'll have some of my secret "Slim Rib" material available for sale there too.  Bring $5.00 cash and I'll trade you and show you how I use it for different flies.  Hope to see you there!
Click here for more info on The Fly Fishing Show.

What's that bug?

Arkansas River, 2017

The photo above was taken this summer on the Arkansas River.  I had been fishing lots of caddis larva during that time and had been doing quite well.  I didn't know that the large, dark green bugs were water snipes.  I assumed that they were cranefly larva, although they didn't look like what I knew were cranefly larva, I didn't argue with the fish.  They were eating my cranefly larva patterns so I kept using them and they kept eating them.  If you look for water snipe patterns at your local fly shop, I am going to bet that they don't have a specific fly pattern, much less even know what you are looking for.  I had no clue as to what a water snipe was before this summer.  Now, even knowing this, I still use a smaller cranefly larva pattern to imitate these bugs.  You can even upsize your caddis larva patterns and have things covered if you know they are in the water you are fishing.  If I were fishing this water again the same or next day, I'd make sure to cover all my bases and fish a cranefly larva, a caddis larva and a baetis nymph.  And I bet I would have  great day.

Winter Fishing (Repost from 2011)

This is a repost from 2011.  I found that the information here is still very relevant.
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I don’t do it nearly as much as others.  I have nothing against it, but the cold. 

I have never fished below 10 degrees, and as I see it, I probably never will.  I don’t think any fish is quite that important to be out there in freezing, freezing weather.  I fish in the winter months of November through February.  Now, I added November in there because it can be pretty cold during that month.  In the last few years, it seems like both November and February have been pleasant.  Or at least I think they were.  We often forget how cold and how hot it was once a new season rolls around.  I was out a couple of weekends ago on the Arkansas River in Pueblo, Co.  I was a bit over dressed with my rolled down waders and Patagonia Cap. 3 long sleeve shirt.  I expected a cool day, but with the temps pushing 70 degrees, it didn’t feel much like winter, except the low angle of the sun.   

With colder weather and water temps, it is important to dress appropriately, even on a “nice” day.  I start off with a base layer of moisture wicking pants and a shirt.  Simms and Patagonia offer some of the best.  Next, a fleece layer to add warmth, especially on the legs help to keep you warm.  On the feet, I use the same system.  A liner, then fleece, then a neoprene booty, and then my waders.  I have to have a bigger boot to fit all these layers in them, but it is worth it.  If your feet get cold, it’s over.  I have had days, were I couldn’t feel my feet, but everything else was warm and the fish were eating.  Can you guess what I did?  Yea, I quit.  I actually suffered a touch of frostbite in my younger days with leaky waders, cold water and feeding fish.  I won’t make that mistake again.  For the upper part of your body, again a base layer helps wick away moisture from your body so you don’t get cold and clammy.  Next, I like a thin fleece layer, depending on the weather and then maybe a heavier fleece layer.   I like to use a 100 series fleece as a light layer.  It can come on or off as needed and make a huge difference.  If you don’t need or have a waterproof shell to help brake the wind, a windproof fleece is a great investment.  Most companies offer great products, but both Simms and Patagonia offer some of the best.  A lightweight down or Primalot jacket are a great addition to the mix.  I always carry different jackets with me to use and once I hit the water I can decide what I need.  For my head, I like to use a windproof hat. There is nothing worse than having a warm head but when the cold wind blows, it slices through you like a hot knife on butter, but only it’s cold…..really cold.  I'll bet you know what I mean.  A hood also helps when the wind blows, but so does a nice warm vehicle.  To finish up the outfit, make sure you have some gloves.  Again, Simms offers the best ones, which is a foldover mitten, with fingerless gloves underneath.   You just have to try them to appreciate them.  

Fly pattern selection is crucial during the winter months.  Gone are the days of throwing # 14 Humpies and #8 Chubby Chernobyls.  Midges are the name of the game.  Attractor flies also work as do mayflies, but for the most part, its midges.  On the South Platte River tailwaters, it usually size 20-28.  Some days the fish are eating #26 midges.  Other days, it’s a #22.   Having some popular patterns in a few different colors and sizes helps to be prepared.  Some of the most popular patterns include a Mercury Black Beauty Midge, Black Beauty, Rainbow Warrior, Juju Midge, Miracle Midges, Top Secret Midges and Brassies.  

Some of my personal favorite midges are KF Midges, Biot Midges, UV Pearl Jam Midges, Bling Midges, Johhny Flashes, Foam Back Emergers, and Floss Back Emergers.  Other patterns I don’t want to be without are small Baetis patterns like a Mercury RS2, regular RS2, Sparkle Wing RS2, Sniper Baetis and Splattes.  Eggs and worms are also always with me, just in case.  I also carry some adult patterns just in case I see fish eating on top.  I always have Griffiths Gnats with me, as well as a pattern I call the CDC Shucker Midge.  Basically, it’s a black RS2 with a longish white wing and an amber shuck.  It has proven to be an excellent pattern when fish are eating emerging adults.  I like it in a size 20-24.  It’s easy to see on the water, despite its small size.

The best time to be on the water is generally 10-2, depending on where you are fishing.  In the canyons, light on the water is dependant on the stretch you are on and which direction the water is flowing.  A trip to a tailwater can include a warm breakfast on the way, possibly followed by a late lunch or an early dinner.    Some of the best fishing can be when it is gently snowing.  Most people are at home, the temps are not too brutal, the wind may not be blowing and the fish just might be rising to midges.  Tie up some midge patterns, gather up your layers and find a good breakfast joint to stop at because there is no need to be on the water until it has warmed up a bit.  Winter fishing is fun as long as you are prepared for it.  Make it a point to get out this winter and enjoy some of the water that is open and enjoy those fish, which are still eating.  

Mercury RS2--Must Have!

Rojo Midges

Foam Back Emerger

The smaller, the better!

Make sure to keep a well stocked fly box.  You never know what the fish will want.

The Slim Shady 5.0

Yes, I am still around and this blog is still alive!   Sorry for the lack of posts, but I was a bit busy this summer.   I spent about 200+ days on the water this year.
Hopefully I will be able to continue and post interesting things!
I am going to start back up by posting the tying info for the Slim Shady Baetis, 5.0

I've been fishing the Slim Shady 5.0 for most of the year and have had some really good days with it. It's a baetis pattern but when are South Platte fish not eating baetis?  I've even gone so far as to tie it as a Split Back pattern and and updated Ice Emerger 2.0 pattern.  More on those patterns later.  For now, take a look at the fly and the recipe for the Slim Shady.  The "Slim Rib" material is not available in any fly shops, so if you need some, send me an e-mail.  I will be selling it.

Slim Shady Baetis, 5.0
Hook:    TMC 200R
Thread:  MFC 8/0 Light Brown or Veevus Tan 14/0
Tails:      Split Mirco Fibbets, Black
Rib:        Slim Rib, Brown
Thorax:  Thread
Wingcase:  Black 1/32" Holographic Tinsel
Legs:      12 Strands of Black Flouro Fibre
UV Resin:  Deer Creek Diamond Fine
Other colors I tie in in are:  Light Olive, Rust, Purple and Olive Dun.

Real or Fake?

Just add water

The bug on the left looks fake.  I mean, look at his pose.  Sassy.  

The Money $hot Baetis.  2 Diamond glass Beads

Light Brown SS 5.0

Money $hot

PMD Slim Shady

PMD CDC Loop Winger Emerger, SS 

PMD Split Case SS

More 5.0s

And more 5.0s