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.

The Billings Gazette Articles:

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.

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.

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.
 

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 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.

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.

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.

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.