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