Midge Magic

Tis the season for small flies...so lets learn a bit about them.

2010 Hecoma Game Ranch “Fishing” Special

Hecoma Game Ranch “Fishing” Special
Hecoma Game Ranch has put together two special “fishing” packages for 2010. Both of the packages include two days of fishing, example Friday noon to Sunday noon and two overnight stays Friday and Saturday nights. Other days and overnights are available also.
Package One: We are offering a special two day rate for one to four “rods” at $150 per day plus $25 for the overnight stay. The two day package total is $350 plus “host guide” expenses.
Package Two: We also are offering a special two day rate for groups of five “rods” or more. The rod fee is $125 per day plus $25 for the overnight stay. The two day package total is $300 plus “host guide” expenses.
The standard daily rod fee is $135 excluding the standard $45 overnight stay plus guide fee. The guide fee is determined by agreement between the client and the guide.
Contact Larry O Jurgens via email for reservations or other information at;
loj.bugstuff@gmail.com or http://lojsflytyingbugstuff.blogspot.com/
This is your opportunity to possibly catch the largest trout of your life.

Some pictures of the lodge and of the neighbors.

For other information see the ranch website at: http://www.hecomaonline.com/

Special Program for our Customers

You can walk into the shop and put down just 50% of the cost of any new rod and fish it the same day. The remaining balance will be paid off in four equal payments over the next four months at no additional cost to you. Here's a geat opportunity to get the fly rod you have always wanted!

Eastern Rises

Eastern Rises | teaser from felt soul media on Vimeo.

Here is a new film to look forward to in the next year or so.

A Winter Break from ArtCreel.com

BASS: The Movie

Here is a little preview of one of the best bass movies that I have ever seen, working through the California delta one fly anglers discovers what it means to be a trophy bass fisherman. What is even better is that conventional tackle goes head to head with fly gear on the same boat. Guess who comes out on top? FRA has the movie for purchase if this trailer perks your interests. Check it our here.

Help CTU & Colorado Youth Outdoors

Picture yourself winning the ultimate fly-fishing experience: You and three friends will fly from wherever you are to Denver International Airport, where you will board a private jet to a 140,000-acre ranch in Wyoming’s Medicine Bow Mountains.  For four nights, you’ll all be treated to gourmet meals and first-class hospitality at one of the oldest and largest guest ranches in the nation.  This exclusive destination also provides its guests with other opportunities to enjoy the outdoors:  horseback riding, trap-shooting, chuck-wagon dinners and the peace and quiet of a starry night.

But the real fun begins at sunrise.  Twelve miles of private, world-class fly fishing on the North Platte River, Big Creek, and several small streams and ponds in pristine wilderness.  These are some of the best waters in the world, and you’ll have a personal guide that knows what’s hatching, where to cast, and how to get there.  And that’s not all!  We want to ensure you have everything you need and more for this adventure of a lifetime so you and each member of your party will also receive a $1,000 shopping spree before arriving at the ranch.

Raffle tickets for a chance at this fly fisherman’s dream are only $20.00 each.  Proceeds help bring families together in the great outdoors with Colorado Youth Outdoors and keep trout populations healthy and rivers and streams pristine with Trout Unlimited.

To view extended video of the Wyoming ranch, click here!

Raffle Prize Details:
Raffle Winner and Each of Their 3 Guests Will Receive:

• Flights to Denver International Airport (continental U.S. only)
  $1,000 shopping spree to Charlie’s FlyBox (American Angler’s 2009 Retailer of the Year)
• Private flight to destination
• 3 days premier fishing with a personal guide
• 4 nights lodging and opportunity to enjoy all the amenities at the ranch
• Gourmet meals and inviting hospitality beyond compare
• Commemorative Memory Book and DVD

Dates and details:

• Raffle begins January 4th
• Drawing to take place on June 30th, 2010
• Trip Dates:  Saturday, September 18 through Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Raffle End Date

06/29/2010

Ticket Price

1 for $20.00 Buy Tickets

2 for $40.00 Buy Tickets

3 for $60.00 Buy Tickets

4 for $80.00 Buy Tickets

5 for $100.00 Buy Tickets

Retail Price

$27250

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

In the land of Cutthroats

In the Land of the Cutthroats - Trailer from Reel Escape Films on Vimeo.

This is what we live for, a very well done nice video. The winter blues are gone momentarily while watching this.

January Catch Magazine

The new Catch Magazine is up and running, and has some of the best photography around. This month features two videos of catching Golden Dorado, a bunch of winter fly images and much, much more. Check it out, here.

The Musky Chronicles

Musky Chronicles Trailer from Lee Church on Vimeo.

What else would you expect from a bunch of rag tag fly casters from Minnesota, a group that is hungry to chase the top predator in the Midwest.

An All Seasons Midge/Chironomid Pattern

For the pattern recipe and the tying instructions go to
http://lojsflytyingbugstuff.blogspot.com/Or click on “LoJ’s Fly Tying & Bug Stuff” in the LINKS OF INTEREST Section. ~ LoJ

Charlie Myers Passes On

By

Marshall Cutchin

From Midcurrent News

Charlie Meyers, long-time outdoors editor for The Denver Post and an institution in Rocky Mountain fishing, hunting and skiing journalism, died Monday night after battling lung cancer. Meyers, who began working for the Post in 1966, was a passionate advocate of conservation and wildlife protection. He continued writing right up until the very end, and his last column on December 6 was focused, typically, on access to a small but important fishing spot.

"He was a wonderful man, a wonderful journalist and a wonderful outdoorsman," said William Dean Singleton, publisher of The Denver Post. "I can't imagine The Denver Post without him."

Former Post outdoors writer Bob Saile said of his friend, "Charlie was an endangered species, too: a skilled, sharp, eloquently literate scribe of the outdoor way of life, a fearless advocate of wildlife and those who loved it."

This morning Kirk Deeter, co-author with Meyers of a new fly-fishing book coming out this spring, wrote a lengthy tribute to his friend:

"It is with a very heavy heart that I report one of my dearest friends, mentors, and an icon in the fly fishing community, Charlie Meyers, outdoors editor of the Denver Post, passed away last night after a brave battle with cancer.

For those of us who live in the Rocky Mountain region, Charlie was an institution. He covered various outdoors angles for the Post (in arguably the most outdoorsy major metro market in America) since 1966. Always eloquent, always sharp, his work in the paper made him a trusted friend and advisor to millions of outdoors enthusiasts. In person, he was an incredibly gracious man. He was the kind of individual whose presence positively changed the atmosphere in a room as soon as he walked in it.

(continued)

My first connection with Charlie came eight years ago, when I cold-called him to see if I could send him a review copy of a book I had just written. To my surprise, Charlie already had the book; to my greater surprise, he suggested that, instead of a standard interview, we go "fish on it." We did, and soon thereafter, he wrote a very nice review that effectively boosted my writing career. Interestingly, Charlie admitted to me that what he liked most about that book (called Castwork, which profiled western fly fishing guides on their home waters) was that he wished he had done that project himself.

Ironically, as I got to know Charlie in subsequent years, I realized that a book on guides might be the only thing, in fact, that Charlie had not done himself. This soft-spoken gentleman who originally hailed from Sicily Island, Louisiana, had fished with Lee Wulff and many many other icons of this sport. He survived a bush plane crash in the Northwest Territories... he traveled up a river in Nicaragua to encounter a witch doctor... he caught tiger fish in Africa, and more bonefish and tarpon on the flats than most of us could imagine... he had an uncanny understanding of every creek and canyon in his beloved Colorado and far beyond... and he was keenly in tune with all the environmental issues of the day. His work spread beyond the outdoors; over his decorated career he covered the skiing industry (earning hall-of-fame recognition), the Olympic Games, and many other angles.

The highest honor I can pay to Charlie is to say he was the consummate writer, and he always let his work do the talking, without so much as a scant trace of "been there-done that" ego. Other writers at the Post note now that "nobody could turn a phrase, nor interest a reader with quite the same effect that Charlie could." The fact that this great writer chose the outdoors beat is nothing short of amazing fortune for all of us who read his stories, and no doubt are benefiting from his influence in spreading the gospel of fishing and hunting over several generations. I just got a note from a colleague of his at the Post that simply said: "Charlie was nothing short of a poet. In his life and with his words." I could not agree more. I do not think we will ever see any outdoors writer quite like him again.

I consider myself blessed to have traveled and fished with Charlie many times in recent years. He took me under his wing, showed me his spots, and tutored me over lunch dates, advising me to "always be a writer who fishes, and not a fisherman who writes." We collaborated on a book that will be released this spring. I am grateful that he saw the finished manuscript before he passed. In typical Charlie fashion, our last editorial "engagement" was over his insistence that we place my name first on the cover. He won that argument, but there is no doubt that Charlie's legacy will always be foremost in my mind, in all the work I do, going forward.

Godspeed Charlie. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart." - Kirk Deeter

PHOTO CONTEST

SO WHAT WHAT WOULD A CUSTOM ILLUSTRATION CREATED BY PROFESSIONAL ARTIST MIKE SAVLEN LOOK LIKE?

If that's not enough how about a TFO TiCr fly rod of your choice
(2nd. place), and any RIO fly line you might like (3rd. place).

So it's got to be difficult to enter right? WRONG! There are no restrictions other than the photo must include a fish (any species). The image file(s) (you may submit more than one) must be in a JPG or TIFF format and of good quality. The FRA staff will vote on the submissions and the winners will be announced in the April News Magazine and on this blog. Entries must be received on or before March 15, 2010. Email your entries to peprentiss@gmail.com

Iowa Driftless Area

I headed back to Chicago over the holidays to visit my family and got the itch to get some flies in the water. My cousin, who avidly  fishes all around the midwest, mentioned to me that four hours away we could catch trout in Iowa. He took me to a small spring creek (French Creek) in, what is known as, the "Driftless area". The "Driftless Area" is named after the area glaciers did not drift through and flatten out. This created massive rolling hills and countless spring creeks around the area of Northwestern Wisconsin, Northeastern Iowa, and Southwestern Minnesota. 

We fished small larger Prince nymphs with Sow Bug droppers all day and were consistently hooking up. The creek was very different than any Western stream; there is something about walking through farmland and staring at beautiful trout in a place you never would have imagined could hold fish. There was snow everywhere and not an inch of shelf ice; spring creeks in the winter are something special. 

The "Driftless Area" is a really magical place to fish. The spring creeks reminded me of those in Montana and Wyoming. So, if you ever make it to the Midwest, and your not fishing warm water or the Lake Michigan tributaries, take a trip to the "Driftless Area" and you will not be disappointed.

Fly Fishing Show

Well, with the weekend shaping up to be a cold one what better way to scratch the I gotta do some fishing itch than at the fly fishing show! Where you can overdose on any and all types of fly fishing. We will be there at our booth (located across the way from Scott Rods) with all the new 2010 toys and piles of Closeouts from Simms, Cloudveil, SA, Fishpond, to name a few. We have markdowns as deep as 60% off retail. If you were hoping to find a special something under the tree and didn't find it come out and buy it yourself, and get it cheap!

Not only will the shop be there, but there are tons of free presentations on: Fly Tying, Destination Travel Fishing both US and International, Casting techniques and instruction, and general fly fishing techniques. The experts are speaking about what they know and do best. See the full schedule of events at the website, here.

Make it a point to get down to the Merchandising Mart just 30 minutes from Boulder and take advantage of all the great buys and presentations.

See You There,
~Front Range Anglers

BOULDER FLYCASTERS WINS COUNTY PINNACLE AWARD

BFC President, Larry Quilling, presenting a framed BFC poster to project chair, Roger Svendsen for his leadership in the Roger's Park project. Bob Bush offered his support to this presentation.

On December 10th, Boulder Flycasters won the Boulder County’s “Pinnacle Award” for 2009 in the Public Involvement category. There were six categories with awards given in each category. Only one category was open to county departments and public groups like BFC.

Will Toor described each of the projects in our category and we were announced as the winners. It was a packed Commissioners Hearing Room with a few hundred viewers both in the room and also broadcast over the county internet hook-up.

Boulder Flycaster’s were represented by project chairman, Roger Svendsen, and project board members, Michael Stein and Bob Bush who were called up to the front along with eight or nine Bldr. County employees to receive the award. Ron Stewart, Director of Parks and Open Space, said a few words, then Claire DeLeo, county project coordinator, said a few words. Roger then expressed appreciation to the County for sharing the award with BFC. The project sponsor (Bldr. Cnty.), represented by Claire, was presented with a large framed picture.

Roger later found out that we also had been nominated and awarded the “Blue Grama Award” by the Colorado Open Space Alliance.

Basically, it is an Ecological Management Program Award – Given to an open space program that has demonstrated leadership in the area of Ecological Management. It recognizes outstanding, innovative and successful research, restoration, or monitoring programs targeted at ecological resource management.

We are hoping that we will know much more about this award in the coming months.

Boulder Flycasters is excited to receive both awards and it shows that we are moving in the right direction with our conservation efforts for projects that really mean a difference to the Boulder Creek watershed!

Written by Bob Bush with contributions from Roger Svendsen and Claire DeLeo.