An Old Time Colorado Fly Pattern

Jonnie Come Lately (Cream Caddis Larvae)

Source: Terry Hellekson Book,

Popular Fly Patterns, Published 1977

Originator: Joe Nelson, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Hook: Mustad 3906/3906B

Size: 14 ~ 18

Thread: Black

Abdomen: Pale Yellow Wool Yarn or Rabbit Dubbing

Rib: Gold Wire

Thorax: Dubbed Muskrat Fur

Head: Tying Thread

Optional Head Cement: Hard as Hull or Black Hard Head

Send me an email for tying instructions.

Blinged Chickens

The blinged chicken hunting has been excellent this year in the wilds of Kansas. So far the weather has been fairly cooperative. As usual there was a brisk wind that sucked up what little moisture there was, really could have used some snow tho’.

Opening weekend was really good but as usual all the dumber ones were dispatched fairly early. As the weekend progressed the smarter ones became wilder as the hours passed.

Our “gang” consisted of six guns and four dogs and we dispatched a good many of those colorful creatures. It is a good thing that we don’t have to hunt the public areas only as there were some very large “war parties” tramping around. Every group that you talked to had a good hunt and a good harvest. The motel where we stay sets up a bird cleaning station complete with running water for the patrons every year. This year the dumpster seemed to contain a good deal more of the leavins’ than the past couple of years.

This past Thanksgiving weekend we also had some excellent hunting and dog work. The weekend was cut short due to a family catastrophe which I will not discuss now.

Our dogs had many points and retrieves which made the trips even more enjoyable. Due to the dog work and the accuracy of some of the shooters we managed to put a good many birds in the freezer.

Due to my macular degeneration in my left (master) eye I am in the process of trying to learn to shoot right-handed after shooting left-handed for sixty one years. It is very challenging and my results are far from successful. After several points  my dog Guy pointed a rooster that I managed to put in the dirt (for my first right-handed kill) and he made a perfect to hand retrieve for me all-in-all that made my trip(s). Per my poor math skills I figger that that bird cost me approximately $484 and change, again I re-iterate that it was well worth it.

I will be making at least one more trip to the wilds of Kansas around Christmas time and again, hopefully another in January. I am planning to bring the cost per bird down dramatically!! Wish me luck.

At the very least my supply of pheasant tails has increased dramatically!

Pheasant Season Is Just Around The Corner

I must apologize for the laxness in the updating of my blog. There is no excuse, BUT, Pheasant and Quail hunting season is approaching. And since I reload for myself and several others I have been busy reloading shotgun shells for our “safaris” to Kansas and it keeps me pretty darn busy.

Pheasant and Quail hunting is a passion for me and rates slightly below fly fishing. Besides I need the feathers for my fly tying attempts. Most of you are cognizant of the fact that Pheasant feathers and Peacock Herl are absolute necessities!


In my opinion they are probably the two most fish attracting materials of ALL TIME!!!

For those of you that reload your own shotgun shells I thought I would pass on a couple of reloading recipes that work exceptionally well for the fanatical crew that accompany me in the pursuit of these fantastic birds in some of the most heinous weather that you can imagine. We hunt in west central and southwest Kansas and the weather runs the gamut from 80° and no wind to below zero with winds in excess of 30 mph.

In spite of these conditions it sho’ ’nuff is fun.

For Pheasants I load mostly #7 shot for opening week end as the critters are not conditioned to the onslaught yet. #7 shot is sometimes hard to locate locally. If you have a problem finding it there are two on-line companies that sell this size they are:

 Midway USA @ http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?tabId=1&categoryId=19965&categoryString=9315***11462***9502***19963***&refineSearchKeywordDisplay=lead+shot+%237&refineSearchKeyword=lead+shot+%237

And Gamaliel Shooting Supply @

http://www.gamaliel.com/cart/product.php?productid=3388&cat=403&page=1

From Thanksgiving through the end of January when the birds are wilder I load and hunt progressively larger shot from #6 through #4. Size #6 shot ist the one that I shhot the most.

The following recipes are my favorite 12 Gauge Hunting loads:

Winchester 2 ¾” AA 12 Ga

Shot: 1 1/4oz

Powder: Winchester Super Field

Grains: 29.5

Bushing: #30 = 29.5

Primer: WIN 209

Wad: Claybuster CB1114-12 

(Replacement for the discontinued Winchester WAA12F114 For use in 1-1/8 to 1-1/4 oz. loads. Performs best in tapered hulls, Remington or Winchester.)

 Velocity: 1330 fps = 907 mph

Pressure: 10,600 psi

Remington Premier 2 ¾” 12 Ga

Shot: 1 1/4oz

Powder: Longshot

Grains: 30.1

Bushing: 30 = 30.1

Primer: WIN 209

Wad: CB-1114-12

Velocity: 1385 fps = 944 mph

Pressure: 10,400 psi

The following recipes are my favorite 20 Gauge Hunting loads:

Winchester 2 ¾” AA 20 Ga

Shot: 1oz

Powder: HS-7

Grains: 24.5

Bushing: #20 = 24.5

Primer: WIN 209

Wad: REM SP20

Velocity: 1220 fps = 831 mph

Pressure: 10,300 psi

Remington Premier          2 ¾” 20 Ga

Shot: 1oz

Powder: Blue Dot

Grains: 24.0

Bushing: #26 = 23.7

Primer: REM 209P

Wad: REM SP20

Velocity: 1220 fps = 831 mph

Pressure: 11,100 psi

Remington Premier 2 ¾” 20 Ga

Shot: 1oz

Powder: HS-6

Grains: 21.6

Bushing: #18 = 21.6

Primer: REM 209P

Wad: CB1078-20 

(Replacement for the discontinued Winchester WAA20 F1 For use in 7/8 to 1-1/4 oz. skeet, sporting clays or hunting loads. Versatile for most hulls depending on powder volume.)

Velocity: 1220 fps = 831 mph

Pressure: 11,700 psi

If you “roll” your own shotgun shells give these a try!

Good Huntin’ an' Fishin’.

The Spinner Fall Is In Full Bloom

The Spinner Fall Is In Full Bloom and this pattern has worked well for me.

Rusty Spinner V1
By: Larry O Jurgens
Hook: TMC 101, TMC 501
Size: 16 ~ 24
Thread: Rusty Brown UTC 70
Tail: Light Pardo Whiting Coq de Leon Fibers
Abdomen: Medium Tawny Tan #942-1056 Sulky® 40 Wt Machine Embroidery Thread
Wing: Tan Float-Vis
Thorax: Rusty Brown Superfine Dubbing
Head: Tying Thread
Send me an email for tying instructions.

Detritus Cased Caddis

I have fished this pattern for many years with success.I first saw it in the mid to late  1970s. 
I tie and fish it with a dubbed head, a metal black bead head and a glass bead head and they all seem to work equally well.

I only wish I could credit the genius who originated this pattern. BUT I have no clue who the originator is!

The only feature added by me is the Peacock Herl.

Read the article about Boulder Creek Bugs by Jay Zimmerman at the following URL:

http://coloradoflyfishingreports.blogspot.com/2010/07/boulder-creek-bugs.html

Detritus Cased Caddis

Tied By: Larry O Jurgens

Originator: ?????

Hook: TMC 3761

Size: 10 ~ 18

Thread: Black Gordon Griffith 14/0

Detritus Case: Mini Black and Mini Natural Ostrich Herls and Peacock Herls

Body: Insect Green Hareline #13 Dubbing

Legs: Natural Brahma Hen Saddle Barbules

Head: Black Glass or Black Metal Bead

Optional: Water Based Head Cement
Send me an email for tying instructions.

OJ North Park Special V1

OJ North Park Special V1

Source: Dick Orr & Larry O Jurgens

Tied By: Larry O Jurgens
Hook: TMC 100
Size: 14 ~ 20
Thread: Dark Brown 14/0 Gordon Griffiths
Tail: Brown Hackle Barbules
Abdomen: Brown Turkey Vane (See Note)
Wing: Tan Float-Vis, Parachute Style
Thorax: Rusty Brown Superfine Dubbing
Hackle: Brown
Note: A biot is the leading edge of a primary flight feather; vane is on the trailing edge or from a secondary flight feather.
Send me an email for tying instructions

A Pale Morning Dun Pattern

Pale Morning Dun Biot Parachute V1

By Larry O Jurgens

Hook: TMC 100

Size: 16 ~ 18

Thread: Gray Brown UTC 70

Tail: Wood Duck Dyed Mallard Flank Barbules

Abdomen: Pale Morning Dun #1 Nature’s Spirit Turkey Biot

Thorax: Pale Morning Dun Super Fine Dubbing

Parachute Wing: White Float-Vis

Hackle: Light Dun

Head: Tying Thread

Send me an email for tying instructions.

An Old Fly Box

I have this old fly box.

It has no monetary value and isn’t worth anything except to me as it belonged to MY DAD… Orville Albert Burton.

Orville was born August 10, 1918 on his father’s farm; the nearest town was/is Padroni, Colorado which is located north of Sterling, Colorado and not too far from the Nebraska border. MY DAD was inducted into the Army in November 1944 and died October 25, 1945, near Tancarville, France.

I have few memories of MY DAD; one of them is fishing with him and his brother Marvin Burton somewhere around Steamboat Springs, Colorado; where we lived at the time. I can remember them hooking a fish and handing me the fly rod and letting me land it which was a “BIG DEAL” as I was around three years old at the time (Incidentally I was born at the old Routt County Hospital in Steamboat Springs in 1941.)

Back to the fly box; I was helping my mother (Margaret) go through some of her large collection of old stuff and determining what needed to be kept and what needed to be thrown away when we found the “box”. I wondered what it was used for and why she kept it. She said it was MY DAD’s fly box and she was saving it for me but due to the passage of time had forgotten about it. It certainly is not representative of today’s fly boxes.

Needless to say I could not wait to check it out. Upon opening all I found were some rusty hooks, bits and pieces of feathers and some badly deteriorated felt and other stuff.  MY DAD apparently stuck his flies in a piece of felt to dry and for storage.

MY DAD’s FLY BOX

Pictures of MY DAD on his last fishing trip in July or August 1944.

I have since cleaned and waxed the box to use myself when I retro-fish using a bamboo or fiberglass rod, antique Pflueger Medalist or South Bend/Shakespeare Automatic Reel while carrying an antique Willow Creel that Richard, a very good friend gave to me. I may even wear a sport coat, fedora (wish I could afford a Panama Straw) and irrigation boots, like MY DAD is wearing in the above pictures. Maybe even a necktie?

This outfit will guarantee me a spot any place on the stream/river as people will be trying to flee from THE GHOST OF FISHING SEASONS PAST!

Thanks DAD for instilling the thrill of fly-fishing in my soul!

            By Larry O Jurgens nee Burton

New Link

Zimmerman is at it again!!!
You have got to check out this added blog link for some humorous, informatative and interesting stuff!
Click on Colorado Fly Fishing Reports on my MY BLOGS OF INTEREST LIST.

Pale Morning Dun Nymph

QD Pale Morning Dun Nymph

By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook: TMC 3769

Size: 16 ~ 20

Thread: Classic Chestnut Pearsall’s Gossamer Silk

Tail: Amber Dyed Mallard Flank

Abdomen: Tying Thread

Wingcase: Wood Duck Dyed Mallard Flank

Thorax: Copper Quick Descent Dub

Legs: Amber Dyed Mallard Flank

Head: Tying Thread

Optional: UV Knot Sense or Hard as Hull Head Cement
Send me an email for tying instructions.

Tan Caddis Rockworm

Photo Credit: Jason Neuswanger (TROUTNUT.COM)

http://www.troutnut.com/fullsize/picture-im_regspec/907

Tan Flex Caddis Rockworm V1

By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook: TMC 2302 ~ Dai-Riki #280
Shown Dai-Riki #280, Size 18 & 15/0 Bead
Size: 12 ~ 20
Thread: White UTC 70 or Danville 6/0 (70D) Fly Master
Abdomen: Tan, Flex Floss, Span Flex, Sexy Floss etc.
Thorax: Mahogany Brown Super Fine Dubbing
Head: Matte Chocolate 11/0 (#02050) or 15/0 (#42038) Mill Hill Glass Bead
Optional: Water-based Head Cement
Send me an email for tying instructions.

General Purpose Attractor

Black & Brown Dredger

By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook: TMC 2457, TMC 2487

Size: 6 ~ 20

Thread: Black UTC 70

Tail: Mottled Grey Brahma Hen Saddle Fibers

Abdomen: Black & Brown Copper Ultra Wire

Wingcase: Black Thin Skin

Thorax: Holographic Brown Ice Dub

Legs: Picked Out Thorax Dubbing

Head: Black Bead (Sized to Hook)

Other: Zap-A-Gap CA+ Super Glue, Knot Sense or 5 Minute Epoxy

Send me an email for tying instructions.

Soft Staz Dad (A Molting Crawdad)

Soft Staz Dad (A Molting Crawdad)

By: Larry O Jurgens
Hook: TMC 9395
Size: 4 ~ 10
Thread: Orange Monocord
Antennae: Orange Crystal Flash
Shellback: Heavy Plastic Bag Strip
Rib: Hot Orange, Medium, Ultra Wire
Body: Root Beer Estaz
Claws: Rust Dyed Grizzly Rabbit Strips
Weight: Nickel/Silver Plated Dumbbell Eyes
Send me an email for tying instructions.

Brown & Blue Chironomidge (13 Steps To Success)

Shown TMC 200 Size 16 w/Breathers
Brown and Blue Chironomidge
By: Larry O Jurgens
Hook: TMC 200
Size: 12 ~ 22
Thread: Dark Brown 6/0 or 8/0 UNI Thread
Breathers: White Dental Super Floss
Body & Head: Tying Thread
Rib: Blue Small/Brassie Size Ultra Wire
Optional: Brush-on Superglue or Hard as Hull Head Cement
Send me an email for tying instructions.

A DELANEY BUTTES FAVORITE

Aquatic Beetle
By: Larry O Jurgens
Hook: Dai-Riki #075
Size: 12 ~ 20
Thread: Black UTC 70
Air Bubble: Clear Glass Bead
Monofilament: 6X ~ 8X
Rib/Underbody Wire: Black Ultra Wire
Body/Legs: Ostrich Herl
Shellback: Black Thin Skin
Optional: Black Magic Marker, Super Glue and
Water-based Head Cement
Send me an email for tying instructions.

An EEZEE Tie Damsel Nymph

Damsel Nymph V1
By: Larry O Jurgens
Hook: TMC 2312
Size: 8 ~ 16
Thread: Olive UTC 70
Tail: Golden Olive Marabou
Rib: Green UTC Ultra Wire
Body: Golden Olive Marabou
Wing: Golden Olive Marabou
Legs: Olive Round Rubber, Medium for Sizes 8 ~ 12
Small For Sizes for 12 ~ 16
Head: Brown Olive Bead (Bead Size Is Tyers Choice)
Send me an email for tying instructions.

The “Mothers Day” Caddis Hatch is just around the corner!

Olive 30° Caddis V1

Olive 30° Caddis V1
By: Larry O Jurgens
Hook: TMC 101
Size: 12 ~ 18
Thread: Olive Dun 8/0 UNI Thread
Abdomen: Olive Wonder Wrap
Wing: Bleached Cow Elk Hair
Thorax: Green Drake Superfine Dubbing
Hackle: Light Grey Dun Herbert Miner Saddle
Head: Tying Thread
Optional: Loon Water Based Head Cement
30° Caddis TMC 101 Hook Preparation:
Place the hook in your vise at appx 30°.
Place your needle nose pliers behind the hook eye with one side of the jaws at the hook shank mid-point.
Bend the front half of hook shank so that it is parallel to your tying table.This is hook configuration is an adaptation of Jay Zimmerman’s “Original” Boulder Creek Caddis pattern.

Send me an email for tying instructions.

A Handy Tool For The Foam Fly-Tyer

Here is the list of the tools that I use to cut foam for my fly tying needs;
Razor Blades, either single edge or double edge which I break in half,
A steel straight edge,
A 5” x 7” picture frame glass (the “cheapest” frame that I can find)
And a template that I made using Power Point either in metric 1mm ~ 10mm or 1/16” ~ 5/8”
These are made on 4 5” x 7” templates;
Template 1 = 1/16” ~ 3/8”
Template 2 = 7/16” ~ 5/8”
Template 3 = 1mm ~ 6mm
Template 3 = 7mm ~ 10mm
I have these templates in a .pdf document.
If you would like a copy of these templates send me an email with “Foam Cutting Template Request” in the subject line. My email address; loj.bugstuff@gmail.com
I will be more than happy to send the file to you.
The first page has “Template Use Instructions”, this is how I put together the Handy Foam Cutting Tool.

Check out my blog at; http://lojsflytyingbugstuff.blogspot.com/
Or click on “LoJ’s Fly Tying & Bug Stuff” in the LINKS OF INTEREST Section.
~ LoJ