Ronn Lucas
Oregon
Ronn started tying flies in the mid 50's as a pre-teen and evolved
into a very talented and dedicated tier. He combines a superior imagination with his line of unique materials to provide some of the
most creative and effective flies you will find anywhere.
Ronn lives in the beautiful State of Oregon where he has been a dental technician for about 40 years, 30 of which has been in his own
business. Working with microscopic precision is a daily activity indicative of his talent.
Hold on to your hat when you view his flies.
Ronn has a dedicated section on FAOL titled "How to Dress Salmon Flies" where he provides help for those interested in dressing salmon flies.
Select One of Ronn's Flies:
Foamback Paper Wasp (Realistic)
Silent Killer (Spey)
Bunyan Bug (Instructions)
Be
sure to visit our on-line store at http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html
Tier: Ronn Lucas
Cased
Caddis (top) Hook:
2 or 3XL 10-14. Notes
(Left): This easily tied Cased Caddis pattern can be tied in any color to match naturals. Not only does it please fish but it's a crowd
pleaser too. Pine needles in a fly? In streams where vegetative matter litters the stream rather than sand and gravel the Caddis' build their
cases from available materials. Iridescent
Cased Caddis (bottom two) Hook
(Right): 2xl to 4xl. Weight
(Both): As needed. Select One of Ronn's
Flies: Foamback Paper Wasp
(Realistic)
Silent Killer
(Spey)
Bunyan Bug (Instructions)
Return to Ronn's
Introduction.
Tier:
Ronn Lucas
Select One of Ronn's
Flies: Foamback Paper Wasp
(Realistic)
Silent Killer
(Spey)
Bunyan Bug (Instructions)
Return to Ronn's
Introduction.
Tier:
Ronn Lucas
Select One of Ronn's
Flies: Foamback Paper Wasp
(Realistic)
Silent Killer
(Spey)
Bunyan Bug (Instructions)
Return to Ronn's
Introduction.
Tier: Ronn Lucas
Select One of Ronn's
Flies: Foamback Paper Wasp
(Realistic)
Silent Killer
(Spey)
Bunyan Bug (Instructions)
Return to Ronn's
Introduction.
Tier: Ronn Lucas
Select One of Ronn's
Flies: Foamback Paper Wasp
(Realistic)
Silent Killer
(Spey)
Bunyan Bug (Instructions)
Return to Ronn's
Introduction.
A Unique Collection tied by:
Ronn Lucas
American Eagle
Hook:
Lucas 8/0.
Thread/Head:
Black.
Tag: Oval
silver UNI-Tinsel, Blue floss, ribbed and counter ribbed with red UNI-Floss
with small silver oval UNI-Tinsel, veiled below with Guinea, dark blue
Parakeet.
Tail:
Amgold veiled below with Silver Monkey, above with aftershaft topping feather
dyed red.
Butt:
Black Ostrich.
Body:
Rear 1/3 American flag bead, middle 1/3 grizzly dyed red, blue and natural,
front 1/3 red UNI-Floss ribbed & counter ribbed with small oval silver UNI-Tinsel.
Throat:
Guinea, bronze Mallard, yellow Parrot, Small Peahen neck feather.
Wing:
Cockatoo, natural white followed with smaller Cockatoo dyed red and blue.
Sides:
Grey Peacock Pheasant, Woodduck, tiny blue Peacock head feather.
Topping: None.
Horns:
Peccary dip dyed red & blue.
Ronn was feeling especially patriotic when he decided
to tie this beautiful
full dress salmon fly. Select One of Ronn's
Flies: Foamback Paper Wasp
(Realistic)
Silent Killer
(Spey)
Bunyan Bug (Instructions)
Return to Ronn's
Introduction.
Original Tier: Norman Edward Lee Means
Variation tied by: Ronn Lucas
Information by: Ed Gallop
The hair is Elk mane and
the body is a feather quill base, that was split to go round the hook and tied on.
Then it was coated with a clear varnish. It is tied with a dubbed body and long shank hook and fished to represent large
Stoneflies and/or Dragonflies. Of course, it's a big fly and can be a challenge to cast but, under the right conditions
would be worth the effort.
Here is a close-up of the original taken by Ronn Lucas.
Norman Means (born 1899 in Davis, West Virginia) moved to Montana in 1921 where
he studied forestry at the University of Montana. It was his forester
career that contributed to the nickname of Paul Bunyan, the fictional lumberjack
character. He created the "Bunyan Bug" fly in 1923, which was named
using his nickname.
The Bunyan Bug
was a popular local Montana favorite years ago and never gained wide recognition
until mentioned in the famous movie set in that
time and place,
"A River Runs Through It". This may be an inspiration for
you to take the
challenge and tie this classic.
Tying Instructions If
you want to tie an authentic Bunyan Bug you can give the instructions below a
try. It is the basic information provided in George Grant's 1981 book,
"Montana Trout Flies". He
describes using a cork body the same length as the hook, whish is a #2 or #4
heavy wire about 1-1/4 inch long. The cork should be stained or painted
deep orange. The segmented markings on the top and bottom are made with a
black or dark brown permanent marker (I would use paint). The wings are
made with blond or light sandy horse mane, inserted into the front body in a
spent position. Make a slit into the body to insert the horse mane.
Make a slit lengthwise so the body will fit on the hook shank so most of the
body is on top. Be sure to use a good strong cement to attach the wing and
body to ensure to keep it in place. A
strong thread, positioned on the hook before the body is attached to the shank,
is now wrapped over the segments of the body to hold the body firmly on the
hook. Coat the body with clear varnish. If
you are pleased with your rendition of the Bunyan Bug you might consider
picturing it here. If so, email
eg@flytyingworld.com with the necessary information.
The Billings Gazette Articles:
Glen West has been tying flies for
over 50 years and guiding anglers for over 25 years. He has a web page at
http://www.glennwest.com/gallerywest/ where he offers his watercolor prints
of river information and maps for 18 different rivers. Pictured on right
is his Madison River print. Glen has been creating fly fishing artwork for
over 15 years.
The below information (in
italics) was written and illustrated by Livingston wildlife artist Rich
Stevenson and edited by Gazette outdoor editor Mark Henckel. It appeared
in the April 13, 2000 issue of the Billings Gazette.
Anyone interested in subscribing to this informative magazine should call
1-800-762-6397 or go to the following website:
The
Billings Gazette
Rich Stevenson's
Article...
His real name was Norman Edward
Lee Means, but everyone knew him as Paul Bunyan, and he signed his personal
checks Paul Bunyan. Montana’s rich fly-tying and fly-fishing heritage had its beginnings
during the first 30 years of the 20th century in Western Montana, centering
around Missoula. Bunyan was a significant contributor to that heritage and a
well-known fly tyer, rod builder, sportsman and personality. Publications on this era of fly fishing rely heavily on the writings
and knowledge of George Grant of Butte. Without his record, much would be lost
and we, who enjoy the sport of fly fishing, are indebted to him. Later in the 1940s, Bunyan patented a printed pattern on tissue that
was applied to the back of the cork and lacquered. He recommended in his
advertisement, “When using these lures on running water, do not pull them, but
rather let them float in a lifelike manner. On lakes, it is best to pull them,
very slowly, or with little intermittent jerks.” Norman Maclean refers to Norman Means and writes about using the Yellow
Stone Bunyan Bug in his outstanding novella “A River Runs Through It.”
The illustration above is the artist’s concept of the 1940s version of
the Orange Stone Fly Bunyan Bug. The Orange Stone Fly has been widely used for
many decades on Western streams to imitate the salmon fly. Select One of Ronn's
Flies: Foamback Paper Wasp
(Realistic)
Silent Killer
(Spey)
Bunyan Bug (Instructions)
Return to Ronn's
Introduction.
for your tying needs.
Weight: As needed.
Thread: Black 6/0.
Case: Chopped deer & natural rabbit or other "spiky" fur,
even pine needles and twigs, blended and wrapped in a dubbing loop and picked out very shaggy.
Body: Med. olive (or other color) iridescent dubbing, 2 OR 3 turns and trimmed short.
Head/Legs (Both): Black iridescent dubbing picked out.
Thread (Both): Black 6/0.
Case (Right): Brown, tan, gray, olive, black iridescent dubbing,
tapered to front.
Body (Right): Limeade, olive, etc., iridescent dubbing.
Head/Legs (Both): Black iridescent dubbing picked out.
Notes (Right): This pattern imitates the caddis' that make their cases out of sand or grass & algae.
Tie in steps, dub the case and tie off with two half hitches, then melt to the shape of the case using a lighter.
Re-attach thread and dub a short body and tie off with two half hitches then, melt to the shape of the body and smaller in diameter than case.
Reattach thread and dub head/legs and finish. Trim legs to shape.
Hook:
Daiichi 1190 #12-#16.
Thread: Black 6/0.
Body: Yellow Foamback and fabric paint.
Thorax: Yellow Foamback tied in and pulled forward.
Head: Yellow Foamback triangular in shape and processed with heat.
Legs: Mottled turkey fibers dyed yellow and knotted at leg joint.
Wings: Copper colored Swiss straw colored with felt pens and reinforced
with copper wire ribbing.
Notes: This is a very challenging fly to tie. Ronn will provide precise
instructions to anyone willing to take the plunge if you ask. 
The Beetle on the right is described below. Design the Beetle
of choice by varying color of materials.
Hook: Daiichi 1150 #12-#16.
Thread: Black (or color of choice).
Shell: Thin emerald Flashback over black Foamback (or
color to suit).
Body: Black iridescent dubbing (or color to
suit).
Notes: The Lady Bug is tied with Ronn's "Foamback" and
colored with felt markers.
Ronn is more than willing to help with questions regarding any of these patterns. 
Hook:
Daiichi 1270, #8 or other suitable size or style.
Thread: Black 6/0 or 3/0.
Tail: Optional or squirrel tail.
Ribbing: Fine copper wire. Tie in ¼" from bend, in body.
Body: Rear 1/3 is rust iridescent dubbing, the next 1/8" is burgundy,
and the front 1/3 is purple.
Hackle: Dark dun. Tie in about 3/16" to 1/4" from eye, wrap 2 to 3
turns together then palmer to rib, take two turns with rib to tie off and counter wrap rib to front and tie off.
Wing: Dark deer or elk mane or other non-flaring hair.
Do not stack. Tie in long and lift the butt ends and cement into a fan shaped "foil" to aid in skating the fly on the surface.
Form a thread head under the "foil" to support it.
Antennae: Stripped dark brown hackle stems.
Notes: Use clear nail polish, Flexament or contact cement on foil. This is a large
Salmon/Steelhead fly. 
Thread/Head: Black.
Tag: Small silver oval tinsel and yellow floss.
Tail: Single barbs of golden pheasant tail (set
low).
Butt: Ostrich.
Body: Maroon floss ribbed and counter ribbed with medium oval silver tinsel.
Hackle: Black or dark brown schlapen (with a fast
taper, starting at the second rib and three turns at head).
Wing: Bronze mallard (Spey style).
Notes: This is another of Ronn's creation he tied on a hook he made himself.
The Bunyan Bug
(fly on right) is an original fly that was tied by Norman Edward Lee Means
in about 1945. Ronn Lucas is the proud owner of that fly.
The one on the left is one of Ronn's variations tied on an antique hook. It's
obviously not intended to duplicate the original Bunyan Bug and it is not
intended for fishing, although it could be. It is intended to be
viewed as Ronn's special creative talent.
Glen
West published an article in the Billings Gazette (Montana) about the Bunyan Bug
in his Favorite Flies section. The information is available at
Favorite Flies - Bunyan Bug. Another article (information in italics
below) is in the
April 13,
2000 issue of the Billings Gazette.
Hook:
3X standard wet in sizes 4 through 12
Thread: none.
Tail: None.
Body: Pencil-sized cork.
Wing: White or cream horse tail.
Body color: Black, yellow and orange model paint.
Rich
Stevenson offers his excellent artwork (originals, prints, sculptures, and more)
on his website at Montana Wild
Studio. You owe it to yourself to take a look. Pictured at right
is "A Pair Of Old Waders" original.
The unique series
of Bunyan Bugs were made of a carved cork body slit underneath, lengthwise to
facilitate the hook, and slit laterally on each side for the wings. The sandy
colored horse mane hair of the wings was inserted into the lateral slits cut in
the cork. An adhesive and heavy thread wrappings secured the hook and wings. The
cork body was then hand painted and finally lacquered.
Be sure to visit our on-line store at
http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html
for your tying needs.