Herter's Hook Sneller
I cannot lay my hands on the instructions for the Herter's Hook Sneller at this time.
Here is the information from my 1973 Herter's catalog.
By reading the info and looking at the picture you cant in all likelihood be able to figure it out.
As you can see it was designed to be used on a Herter's or Thompson type fly tying vise.
Hope this helps!

 

Red Quill

JARQ-3 Mono Wing (Just Another Red Quill V-3)

Hook: TMC 102Y

Size: 13 ~ 21

Thread: Orange 14/0 Gordon Griffiths

Tail: Light Pardo Coq de Leon Whiting Tailing Fibers

Abdomen: Red Quill Stripped Hackle Quill

Parachute Wing: White Float-Vis

Thorax: Tying Thread

Hackle: Brown Whiting Saddle Hackle

Head: Tying Thread

Other: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails® and/or Super Glue

Note: Soak the quill in warm water for appx 30 minutes before using to prevent breakage.

Email me for tying instructions; loj.bugstuff@gmail.com 
 Subject = "JARQ-3" Tying Instructions"   

The Blues

Over the past 12 years, some of my fishin' pards and myself have been using and testing blue patterns.

We were told many, many times by other fishermen "THAT FLY WON'T WORK"!

All I can say is try them for yourself and see.

The following are some of the more successful "blue" patterns that we used:

Richards Blue Funk

Blue Ice BLM (A Tim Heng BLM Adaptation)

LoJ’s Blue Funk V1

Blue Magic Dredgemerger V1

Blue Dredgemerger V2

Brahma Blue Soft Hackle V1

LoJ’s Trout Crack (A Hallucinogenic Scud)

A Couple of Green Drakes

Note: There are four common Green Drake species in Western rivers: Drunella grandis, Drunella doddsi, Drunella flavilinea, and Drunella coloradensis. The first two are usually lumped together as "Green Drakes" while the latter two are often referred to as "Flavs" and "Slate-Winged Olives," respectively. 

Green Drake Grandis Winged Emerger

(Ephemerellidae Drunella Grandis)

By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook: TMC 2312

Size: 10 ~ 16

Tying Thread: Brown 14/0 Gordon Griffiths

Shuck: Brown Olive Antron Yarn

Abdomen: Tan Superfine Dubbing

Rib: Brown Flex Floss

Wings: Medium Dun, Whiting Farms Coq de Leon Hen Cape Hackle Tips

Thorax: Rusty Brown Superfine Dubbing

Hackle: Olive Dyed Grizzly

Head: Tying Thread

Green Drake Grandis Winged Emerger

(Ephemerellidae Drunella Grandis)

By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook: TMC 101 (Shown) or TMC 100

Size: 10 ~ 14

Thread: Olive Dun 6/0 or 8/0 UNI-Thread

Tail: Moose Body Hair

Abdomen: Adams Gray Superfine Dubbing

Rib: Chartreuse Danville Flat Waxed Rayon

Wing: Wing: Gray Dun Antron Yarn 
     or Light Gray Polypropylene Floating Yarn

Thorax: Adams Gray Superfine Dubbing

Hackle: Badger or Grizzly

Head: Tying Thread

Note: I tie a much shorter wing than a live specimen which helps the fly in landing correctly.

When fishing shallow water I trim the hackle on the bottom of the fly to about the mid-point of the hook gape thereby presenting a lower profile.

New Bug (QM-1)

This pattern worked well for my fishin' pards and me this spring. 
It worked when the Baetis were about and when they weren't.

Hook: Scud Hook Of Choice
Size: 16 - 22
Thread: Olive Dun 6/0 or 8/0 UNI-Thread (Tyers Choice)
Abdomen: Tying Thread
Rib: Black Ultra Hair
Wing Bud: White Antron
Thorax/Head: Tying Thread
Optional: UV Finish and/or Sally Hansen Hard as Nails® 

Top Secret Midge Variant

 (A Dorsey Rip-Off)

Top Secret Midge Variant

By: LO Jurgens

Hook: TMC 2457, TMC 2487

Size: 14 - 22

Tying Thread: Dark Brown UTC 70 Thread

Body: Sable Brown 942-1166 Sulky™ 40 wt. Thread (Sizes 14 -18)

     & Dark Brown UTC 70 (Sizes 20 – 22)).

Rib: Prism White 142-7021 Sulky™ Metallic Thread 

Wing: Pearl Midge Krystal Flash

Thorax: Mahogany Superfine Dubbing

Head: Tying Thread

E-Z Tie Baetis

Burnt Toast Baetis V1

By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook: TMC 2488/2488H

Size: 18~24

Tying Thread: Olive UTC 70

Abdomen: Burnt Toast #942-1265 Sulky® 40wt Embroidery Thread

Wingcase: Pheasant Tail Midge Vinyl Tubing

Thorax: Dark Olive Squirrel Dubbing

Head: Tying Thread

Optional; Sally Hansen Hard as Nails®

Tying Instructions

Start the abdomen thread 2 eye lengths behind the hook eye and wrap to partway down the hook bend and return.

Whip-finish with 3 wraps and cut off the thread.

Optional: Coat the abdomen with Sally Hansen Hard as Nails® for durability.

Start the tying thread behind the hook eye.

Tie in the wingcase material and overwrap to above the hook point.

Dub the thorax from the hook shank mid-point to 1 eye length behind the hook eye.

Pull the wingcase material over the thorax, press down so tubing is flat and tie in.

Cut off excess,

Tie a whip-finish.

Pick some fibers out of the thorax dubbing for legs as needed.

Back to posting, IT HAS BEEN A LOOOONG BUSY SUMMER!!!

Didn't get in nearly as much fishing as I should have. Been to busy with home maintenance projects.
Here we go with an effective baetis/mayfly nymph pattern that is tied a tad differently. 

BT (Bead Thorax) Baetis Pheasant Tail Nymph
Materials;

Hook: TMC 3761, TMC 3769

Size: 14~18

Thread: Olive Dun 6/0 UNI Thread

Tail, Abdomen, Shellback & Legs: Pheasant Tail Feather Barbules

(The barbules used on this pattern have no brown tips and are a natural olive and speckled) See Note

Rib: Brown Copper, Small/Brassie Sized UTC Ultra Wire

Thorax: Brown Olive Cyclops Bead

Head: Tying Thread

Optional: Water Based Head Cement

 Note: DO NOT use Ringneck Pheasant Center Tail Feathers. This pattern uses the “Natural Olive” (No Brown Tips) barbules from the secondary tail feathers for the abdomen, shellback and legs. 

Halo Emerger Variant

Side

Top

  

Bottom

Halo Emerger Variant

By: LO Jurgens

Hook: TMC 102Y (Or Tyers Choice)

Size: 15 -19

Thread: Brown 8/0

Tag: Opal Mirage Tinsel

Shuck: Light Gray Antron Yarn Fibers

Abdomen: Gray Olive Superfine Dubbing

Wings: Thin Electronic Packing Foam

Thorax: Gray Olive Superfine Dubbing (Thread For Size 19 & Smaller)

Tuft: Red Or Orange Antron Fibers (Red Shown Here)

Notes: Gary LaFontaine based this unusual design on his underwater observations of hatching mayflies. One of the keys to its effectiveness, he notes, is the orange tuft, and this component should be preserved if the tail and body colors are changed to match other hatches.

Just a reminder;
I do not publish comments from or respond to requests from Anonymous sources.
Thanx for your support
LOJ

A Fly FishingTruth

Two casts from the bank and I’ve got something: a seventy foot pine tree.
            ~ Nick Lyons

Quotation from the book “HOOKED Funny Quotes from Serious Anglers” Edited by Raye Carrington

LoJ’s Trout Crack (A Hallucinogenic Scud)

By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook: TMC 2457 or TMC 2487

Size: 6 ~ 18

Thread: Light Blue or Light Gray 6/0 Danville

Underbody: Gray Antron Dubbing

Overbody: Blue Vinyl Tubing

Rib: Tying Thread

Head: Tying Thread

Note: This pattern is an adaptation of John Wilson's “Trout Crack”.

 Tying Instructions

Start the thread behind the hook eye and wrap a thread base partway down the hook bend.

Tie in the overbody tubing with the rear end extending appx 1/16” beyond the hook bend.

Dub an underbody to 1 eye length behind the hook eye and return.

Note; the underbody thickness is tyers choice.

Move the thread making wide spaced ribs to where you want the rear segment closest to the hook bend location to end.

Pull the overbody tubing forward and tie in.

DO NOT stretch the tubing, e.g., the tubing should have a bubble effect.

Repeat step 5 until you reach 1 eye length behind the hook eye.

Note; try to keep the underbody rib under the center of the overbody ‘bubble’.

Wrap and whip-finish a small neat head under the tubing.

Cut the front tubing even with the front of the hook eye.

Optional; pick out the dubbing on the bottom of the underbody for legs.

JAWD-40

By: LO Jurgens

Hook: TMC 2487

Size: 16 ~ 26

Thread: Blue Dun UTC 70

Tail: Natural Barred Mallard Flank

Abdomen: Thread Wrapped Over Tail Material

Thorax: UV Gray Ice Dub

Wingcase: Tail Material Pulled Over Thorax

Head: Tying Thread

Optional: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails® (Applied To The Abdomen)

 Note: This pattern is just another version of the venerable WD-40. San Juan River guide Mark Engler developed the WD-40 fly in the mid 1980’s while fishing the Frying Pan and South Platte Rivers. He developed it specifically to imitate large emerging midges he found on the Frying Pan in February, but has since discovered that it works for midges of all sizes and for Baetis mayflies as well.

Fishin' Tale

'Nuff said.

Two More Colorado Oldies Patterns

Gray Ugly

Originator: Legendary Colorado “Unknown" Fly Tyer

Hook: Mustad 94838 (1XS) (Replacement TMC 921)

Size: 8 ~ 18

Thread: Gray

Tag: Embossed Silver Tinsel

Tail: Grizzly Hackle Fibers

Rear Hackle: Grizzly

Rib: Fine Silver Wire

Body: Peacock Herl

Front Hackle: Grizzly

Head: Thread

Optional Head Cement: Clear Hard Head
Source: Terry Hellekson, Popular Fly Patterns, Page 29, Publish Date, 1976
Originator: Legendary unknown tyer from Colorado

I favor this fly over most other dries. I have taken more fish with it over the past three or four seasons than any other fly, possibly because I use it so extensively. I picked this pattern up in Denver, Colorado, around 1970. Since then I have had the opportunity to fish it over a variety of waters in many areas. It is certainly one that is worth trying for any area.   ~ Terry Hellekson (1977)

Jonnie Come Lately (Cream Caddis Larvae)

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

Source: Terry Hellekson, Popular Fly Patterns published 1977

Colorado Oldies Patterns Front Range Anglers Clinic 11/16/2013 (Part 7)

Western Bloody Butcher (1940s Pattern)

Originated By: See Note
Tied By: Larry O Jurgens
Hook: TMC 100, TMC 101
Size: 10 ~ 20
Thread: Black 6/0 Silk
Body: Red Floss
Hackle: Black Rooster
Head: Tying Thread
Note:
This pattern and was a popular fly in the 1940s & 1950s (and possibly earlier) in the Rocky Mountain area. In some places it was the referred to as the “Secret Fly.” Per George Mayer, owner of George Mayer's fly shop, located in north Denver at 38th Ave & Tennyson St., from the1950s to the mid-1970s." This fly was developed by fisherman who frequented the backcountry in search of Cutthroat Trout. The fly was called the “Bloody Butcher” because of the way you could slay Cutthroat trout with it. Remember these were the days when if you didn't bring home your limit it was not considered a successful day".

Colorado Oldies Patterns Front Range Anglers Clinic 11/16/2013 (Part 6)

South Platte Brassie Version 1

Originator: Gene Lynch, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Tied By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook: Mustad 3906

Size: 10 ~ 20

Thread: Black

Abdomen: Copper Wire From Lamp Cord

Head Tying Thread

Optional: Black Hard Head, Head Cement

South Platte Brassie Version 2

Originator: Gene Lynch, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Source: Popular Fly Patterns, by Terry Hellekson

Tied By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook: Mustad 3906

Size: 10 ~ 20

Thread: Black

Abdomen: Copper Wire From Lamp Cord

Thorax: Muskrat Fur Dubbing

Head Tying Thread

Notes:

There are innumerable variations of the venerable “South Platte Brassie” aka “Brassie.”  These are the two popular patterns that I remember from the 1960’s.     ~ Larry O Jurgens

For more information about this pattern in the following books:

“A Fly Fisherman’s Guide To The South Platte River” page 145 By Pat Dorsey.

 “Tying Small Flies” page 37 By Ed Engle.

”Good Flies: Favorite Trout Patterns and How They Got That Way” page 112 By John Gierach 

“Trout Country” page 30 By Bob Saile

Colorado Oldies Patterns Front Range Anglers Clinic 11/16/2013 (Part 5)

Poor Helgy

Originated By: Jim Poor Littleton, Colorado

Hook: Mustad 9672 (TMC 2302)

Size: 4 ~ 10

Thread: Black 3/0 Monocord

Tail: Dark Moose Body Hair (Divided)

Underbody: Lead Wire Under The Thorax

Rib: Black Monocord Over The Abdomen

Abdomen: Dark Moose Body Hair

Thorax: Tan Chenille

Hackle: Brown Rooster

Wingcase: Black Waterproof Magic Marker

Head: Thread

Optional Head Cement: Black Hard Head

Notes: Originator Jim Poor was the original owner of Anglers All Fly Shop on South Santa Fe Boulevard Littleton, Colorado
Reference, Jack Dennis’ Western Trout Fly Tying Manual Vol. II, Page 111.

This pattern is an effective hellgrammite imitation (Also  works as a stonefly nymph ~ LOJ).

Colorado Oldies Patterns Front Range Anglers Clinic 11/16/2013 (Part 4)

Colorado King, Dark Female

Source: Popular Fly Patterns 

Originator: George Bodmer, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Hook: Mustad 94840 (TMC 100)

Size: 6 ~ 18

Thread: Black

Egg Sack: Yellow Rabbit Dubbing

Tail/Outriggers: 2 Peccary Or Moose BodyHairs

Body: Muskrat Dubbing

Hackle: Brown

Wing: Dark Deer/Elk Hair

Head: Tying Thread 

Optional Head Cement: Black Hard Head

Source: Terry Hellekson, Popular Fly Patterns, Published 1976,
Page 22. The Colorado Kings were developed in 1971 by George Bodmer of Colorado Springs, Colorado. They have become a universally effective dry fly. George reports that they sold over 6,000 of them during the 1975 season and he keeps getting glowing reports on them from all over the country and abroad. They have the ability to bring up lots of fish. They are not the final solution, no fly is, but they are suggestive enough of a variety of trout foods to be successful over a broad range of fishing conditions. Though developed primarily as attractor type patterns, these flies have an excellent caddis and stonefly silhouette, are close enough for many mayfly hatches and, as a bonus the light pattern is readily taken as a grasshopper. They are excellent floaters. Their open construction permits good drying on false casts and prevents water logging. George now ties the flies with elk hair rather than deer hair. This produces a more durable fly.  ~ T. Hellekson (1976)   

Credit: Popular Fly Patterns by T. Hellekson 

Colorado Oldies Patterns Front Range Anglers Clinic 11/16/2013 (Part 3)

Colorado Caddis

Originated By: Bob Good, Denver, Colorado

Source: Terry Hellekson, Popular Fly Patterns, Published 1977

Hook: Mustad 3906/3906B

Size: 8 ~ 16

Thread: Black 6/0

Shellback: Natural Gray Goose Quill Slip

Body: Pale Synthetic Fur Yellow Dubbing or Wool Yarn

Legs: Black Hen Hackle, Length Equals 1½ - 2 Hook Gapes 

Head: Thread

Optional Head Cement: Black Hard Head For The "Classic" Look

Colorado Oldies Patterns Front Range Anglers Clinic 11/16/2013 (Part 2)

Buckskin Nymph
Originator: George Bodmer, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hook: Mustad 3906 (TMC 3769)
    Or Mustad 3906B (TMC 3761)
Size: 12 ~ 16
Thread: Brown 6/0
Tail: Soft (Hen) Brown Hackle Fibers
Optional Under Body: Lead Wire and/or Tan Floss
Body: Natural Chamois Strip
Head: Tying Thread
Optional Head Cement: Black Hard Head

Notes:

The following comments excerpted from the books;

Popular Fly Patterns, Page 77 by Terry Hellekson, Publish Date 1977.

This pattern was sent to me by George Bodmer of Colorado Springs, Colorado. As you can see, George and his friends like their nymphs simple. They usually fish them weighted and deep. They do not like a pattern so complicated to tie that they get emotionally involved when they lose one.

Fish Flies, The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier’s Art, Page 194, by Terry Hellekson, Publish Date 2005. George Bodmer of Colorado Springs, Colorado originated this pattern. As you can see, George keeps some of his patterns very simple. Natural chamois is a yellowish beige color and darkens well after it becomes wet.

Colorado Oldies Patterns Front Range Anglers Clinic 11/16/2013 (Part 1)

Betty McNall

Originated By: Betty McNall of Denver, Colorado

Source: "Popular Fly Patterns" by Terry Hellekson, 1977

Hook: (200R)

Size: 8 - 14

Thread: Black

Tails: Red Hackle Fibers

Butt: Peacock Herl

Body: Red Floss (Danville Flymaster +, 210)

Wing: White Calf Tail Trude Style And Extending To The End Of The Tail

Hackle: Brown

Head: Tying Thread

Herter's Inc. Fly Tying Tools From the Past Part 2

This tool is the Herter's 31W Winging Pliers. That I used and/or still sometimes use for mounting quill wings. In 1972 this tool sold for $.69. I can't remember how much it was in 1965 when I purchased it.

Herter's Inc. Fly Tying Tools From the Past

The first fly tying tools that I purchased were from the Herter's Inc., 1965 Catalog. For the younger generation out there Herter's was the premium mail order sporting goods in the world and was the precursor to Cabela's and many others. They were originally based in Waseca, Minnesota and were in business from 1893 until 1981. Their mail order business was started in 1937. 

I still have and use some of their tools. 

George Herter invented many of the tools that were of the convenience variety along with many other items that Herter's offered for sale. 

The amazing thing was they were well thought out, worked great and were inexpensive.

Here is an example, can you figure out what this fly tying tool is? This tool is in my copy of the 1972 catalog but disappeared from my copy of the 1978 catalog. Those two are the only catalogs that I still have. I still occasionally use this tool when my fingers are not working correctly and frustration has set in.

 

The answer will be in my next blog entry!

Getting Ready For 2014

Tan ACP (Another Caddis Pupa) 

Shown; Dai-Riki #280 Size 18 , Matte Chocolate 11/0 Glass Bead 

Material List;

Hook: Dai-Riki # 280

Size: 14 – 20

Thread: Dark Brown 8/0 UNI-Thread

Body: Tan Spanflex 

Rib: Brown Nature’s Spirit Bleached & Dyed Peacock Sticks

Thorax & Legs: Mahogany Brown Superfine Dubbing

Head: Matte Chocolate 11/0 (#02050) or 15/0(# 42038) Mill Hill Glass Seed Bead

Note:  I also use a Coffee MFC Lucent Tungsten Beads

Blast From The Past

NYMPHORM™

How many of you remember these fly tying aids from the past?

I found that these were very handy when tying Stonefly Nymphs. I still have a few left but only use them for a very special pattern that I use for a sample or gift.

Sure wish these were still available?

If anyone out there has access to these or have possession of any and are willing to part with them, send me an email ---   loj.bugstuff@gmail.com   --- with details!

The following picture is from "Fly Tyer Magazine", August 1981, Page 29

Pale Morning Dun

A simple tie and effective pattern.

By Larry Jurgens

Hook: TMC 100/101

Size: 14 ~ 20

Thread: Gray Brown UTC 70 Denier Ultra Thread

Tail: Light Pardo Coq de Leon Tailing Fibers

Abdomen: Tan Turkey Biot/Vane

Thorax: Pale Morning Dun Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing

Parachute Post: FL Cerise McFly Foam

Hackle: Golden Olive (White Dyed) or Light Grizzly Whiting Saddle Hackle

For tying instructions email me; loj.bugstuff@gmail.com

Fisherman Quotation

Fly fisherman spend hours tying little clumps of fur and feathers on hooks,
trying to make a trout fly that looks like a real fly.
But nobody has ever seen a natural insect trying to mate with a
Fanwing Ginger Quill.
          ~ Ed Zern

Quotation from the book “HOOKED Funny Quotes from Serious Anglers” Edited by Raye Carrington

PMD Nymph

Pheasant Tail Bead Thorax Nymph V1

Source: Dave Student's “Stealth Cocktail”

Tied by: LO Jurgens

Email me for recipe and tying instructions.

Cyprinus Carpio Woggers

These patterns were originally designed to imitate “Pollywogs” for the wary Cyprinus Carpio. I have found that they work for Bass, Bluegills, etc, just as well. They also work for trout in early summer when trout, sucker and various other species "fry" are abundant.

Shown Daiichi #1640 Size 10

Wogger V1

By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook:  Daiichi 1640

Size: 4 ~ 10

Thread: Black 14/0 Gordon Griffiths

Tail Materials: Marabou (Under-tail) Ostrich Herl Tips (Over-tail)

Body Material: Ostrich Herl

Head: Tying Thread

Wogger V2

By: Larry O Jurgens

Hook:  Daiichi 1640

Size: 4 ~ 10

Thread: Black 14/0 Gordon Griffiths

Tail Materials: Marabou (Under-tail) Ostrich Herl Tips (Over-tail)

Body Material: Ostrich Herl

Head: Black Cyclops Bead, 5/64” for Size 10