Classes and Clinics

Free Saturday Morning Tying Clinics
The Laughing Grizzly presents a fly tying clinic every Saturday from fall through spring from 10:00 - 12:00 featuring tyers from around the area- some well-known and some not as well-known, but all have fly patterns, tying techniques and fishing tips that will help you become a better fly fisher and fly tyer. We serve coffee and donuts- it's a great way to start the weekend. Check back for schedule updates.

In addition to the tyers shown below, we are working with other presenters to fill out the schedule. If you are on our e-mail list, you'll receive a note each week announcing the Saturday program. If you know of a tyer you'd like to see us feature, let us know.

Presenter

Subject Matter

Title

Date

Jay Zimmerman Jay lives fly fishing. He designs and ties flies, fishes for just about every species known to man, writes about fishing, has an extensive fly fishing Facebook page and blog and an entertaining sense of humor. This year's program will feature some new patterns Jay has developed for trout and warmwater species. New Patterns for Trout and Bass 10/22/11
Jason Goodale Jason has tied beautiful spun deer hair bass bugs, tiny midges and a wide variety of other flies in past appearances at the Laughing Grizzly. This year, Jason will tie his favorite streamers. Jason is a long-time a fly designer for Montana Fly Company, who carries many of his patterns in their line. Favorite Streamers 10/29/11
Rick Takahashi Rick, with his co-author Jerry Hubka, probably knows more about midge fly patterns than anybody alive. Sometimes we forget that he is also known for his GO2 series and a host of other patterns. In short, Rick is a master tyer of beautiful flies. His presentations are lively, funny and will teach you new patterns and techniques. Signature Flies 11/5/11
Josh Rickard Josh does a great job of educating us about bug life in our local waters, and ties nice flies that match them. He frequently experiments with new patterns, often using new or unfamiliar materials. You'll learn a lot about local insect life, new fly patterns and fishing techniques by attending Josh's clinic. Local Bugs 11/12/11
Al Ritt Peak Fishing has released a new tube fly vise and Al is going to demonstrate how to tie tube flies. While tube flies are often associated with intruder and other streamer patterns, most any fly can be tied in this way. If you haven't seen the many uses of tube flies, this is your chance to learn from a pro. Al is a member of both the Peak Fishing and Whiting Farms pro teams, and is the mentor/leader of the Laughing Grizzly Fly Tying Club. Tube Flies 11/19/11
Landon Mayer Landon Mayer is a fly fishing guide motivated by his passion and love for fly fishing. His success in catching trophy trout is fueled by an addiction for pursuing and catching them on small flies and lightweight gear, and he has developed innovative techniques for hooking and landing trophy trout, which he loves to share with fellow anglers. Landon is a contributing writer for High Country Angler Magazine and has publiushed three books. We'll have copies of his latest book Colorado's Best Fly Fishing, as well as his earlier books, available for purchase and personalizing. Colorado's Best Fly Fishing 11/26/11
Marty Staab Marty is not only an ace angler and guide, and one of the best tyers we know, he is a real gentleman and all-around nice guy. He ties commercially and has an encyclopedic knowledge of fly patterns, both modern and traditional. His subject this year is one we can all benefit from since we all fish the Big T at one time or another. Best Big T Patterns from 2011 12/3/10
Joe Johnson Joe is one of our tying clinic favorites. We tend to still think of him as that apple-cheeked little boy, but he has grown up right in front of our eyes. What hasn't changed is his great fly tying ability. This year, Joe has experimented with a variety of patterns in the past year, some of them influenced by his recent trip to Alaska, and he'll share his newest patterns with us. Mostly New Stuff 12/10/11
YOU We've established a tradition at the Laughing Grizzly of having our customers show off their favorite patterns, and we're doing it again. Just bring the materials and tools you need, sit down and amaze your friends. Be prepared to talk us through the tying procedure and to discuss how and where you fish it. Your Favorite Patterns 12/17/11
No Clinic 12/24/11
No Clinic 12/31/11
Larry Jurgens Larry is a long-time Boulder-area tyer who enjoys tying standard patterns and variations he has created as well as hundreds of his own patterns- he is a very prolific fly designer. He'll focus on his own creations for trout in this clinic- newer patterns he has personally tested extensively in the past two years. Signature Flies 1/7/12
John Majerus John may not be as well known as some of the other tyers on our schedule, but we bring him back every year because he is one of the best tyers and teachers of tying that we know. John will share his secrets for efficient tying techniques gained from years of production tying. As one of the best fly anglers around, John will pass on many tips for successful fly fishing. Signature Flies 1/14/12
Austin Clayton Austin has been tying for a relatively short time, but, boy, has he gotten good in a hurry. He ties beautiful traditional full-dress Atlantic salmon flies (and makes his own hooks for them), builds fiberglas fly rods and is interested in and quite knowledgeable about the history of fly fishing and fly tying. In this clinic, Austin will show us some of his favorite traditional wet fly patterns. Wets and Other Traditional Flies 1/21/12
Jake Ruthven Jake is a fine young tyer and fisherman from Fort Collins who is beginning to make a name for himself. He ties a wide variety of patterns-dries, nymphs, streamers- you name it. He has been featured at the Denver Fly Fishing Show and other local tying exhibitions. You'll enjoy watching Jake tie. Favorite Patterns 1/28/11
Steve Schweitzer Steve has become a regular here at the Laughing Grizzly for good reason- he is an innovative and entertaining tyer. Besides, he put pictures of several of us in his book A Fly Fishing Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park. But seriously, Steve always has a new pattern or two up his sleeve to share with us. We'll have copies of the book, and if you already have one and it isn't autographed, now's the time to have Steve sign it. Signature Flies 2/4/11
Mark Rayman If there is anybody who knows more about Colorado and Wyoming waters than Mark, please introduce us. Mark has been associated with the local fly fishing community for many years, knows just about everybody in every facet of the business, and fishes for anything that swims. His specialty is tying easy and effective flies that catch fish- done! Back to Trout and Beyond 2/11/12
Al Ritt Al is a Whiting Pro and Peak Vise Pro Rep, and one of the more innovative tyers in our area, with a broad repertoire of lake, stream and saltwater patterns. He is a prolific writer of tying articles that have appeared in fly fishing magazines. We all learn something new when Al does a clinic. Signature Flies 2/18/12
Tim Drummond Tim guides for North Park Anglers in Walden, where he leads his clients in fishing the many productive streams in the area. He is a prolific and innovative tyer who will tie patterns for North Park and other streams around the state. Tim is the son of Frank Drummond, our resident cane rod builder and guide par excellence, so you know Tim's credentials come naturally to him. 2/25/12
Rob Kolanda Rob has been a member of the US National Fly Fishing Team and is a terrific fly designer and tyer. His designs should be included in every fly fisher's arsenal, no matter what kind of fish you pursue. Rob is a master of both warmwater and trout fishing. Signature Flies 3/3/11
Charlie Craven Charlie has done a clinic for us every year, and it is always one of the highlights of our clinic season. In addition to crowd favorites, Charlie always seems to have a new pattern or a new technique to show us. He has recently taken on the duties of writing a monthly tying column for "Fly Fisherman" magazine in addition to his busy clinic schedule and working at his own shop. Signature Flies 3/10/12
TBD 3/17/12
AJ Dudek AJ is a passionate RMNP guide, and has also guided for smallmouth bass on western rivers, for monster carp in Lake Michigan, and for steelhead in the Northwest. He's a pro staff member for R. L. Winston and Patagonia, and a member of Team Caddis that took third place in the most recent America Cup fly fishing competition. AJ has done many presentations and clinics around the country, and we're pleased to have him be a part of out clinic series. He'll focus on smallmouth patterns, with maybe a steelhead or carp fly thrown into the mix. River Smallmouth Patterns 3/24/12
Dennis Martin Dennis is a native of Northern Colorado and has fished the area's waters his whole life. He is an exacting tyer with a broad repertoire of fly types. He has tied at the Denver Fly Fishing Show, the West Denver Fly Tying Expo and many shops in the area, including several times here at the LG. We're happy to have him back. Favorite Flies 3/31/12
Pat Dorsey Pat puts the icing on our 2011-12 clinic cake! A well-known author, guide (Orvis's 2001 Guide of the Year) , angler and tyer, Pat deserves every bit of the acclaim he has earned over the years. There is probably nobody who knows the South Platte River better than Pat Dorsey. We'll have copies of Pat's books available for purshase and signing. Signature Flies 4/7/12


Classes
Click here to enroll

 
Class Subject Instructor Basis Time/Cost
Fly Tying 101- The Basics Learn basic tools and techniques to tie effective fly patterns.Tools and materials are supplied to tie the patterns for each class. You are encouraged to bring your own tools if you have them. Class participants receive a 10% discount on any tool and material purchases made the day of the class. Dick Shinton Individual or Group $75.00 per person
2.5hr
Fly Tying- The Basics Plus Session 1- Basics as above
Session 2- Nymphs
Session 3- Dry Flies
Session 4- Soft Hackles and Emergers
Session 5- Terrestrials
The first session will get you started with the basics, and each following session will cover a particular family of fly types, You'll learn 3-5 patterns or pattern variations per session. Each class is 2-3 hours long and can be scheduled at your convenience.		 Dick Shinton Individuals or groups of up to four participants $250 per person
Guided Trips Come on into the shop or give us a call to book that Guided Trip to majestic Rocky Mountain National Park, with some of the best fly fishing around. Our guides, Frank Drummond, Dick Shinton, Matt Sanderson, Tim Neering, Mike Kruise and Scott Bley, know the Park better than anyone. Professional Guides Individual or Group Go to the Trips page for info
Guided Carp
Fishing Trips		 Before you grimace or turn up your nose, there is no better way to work on your skills for that upcoming once in a life time flats trip, or just to learn how to fight a big fish. Carp fishing is quickly catching on. You stalk the fish and learn to cast to it and then hopefully hook up. We will get you in to some great opportunities for some very big fish. Frank Prasnik Individual As above
Casting 101 Learn basic casting techniques including roll cast, pick up and lay down, false casting, mending and other techniques. Frank Drummond Individual $75.00
1.5hr
Fishing 101 This is an on-the-water class that will help you catch more fish by improving your line control and casting texhniques. Mike/Frank/Dick Individual $75.00
1.5hr
Rod Building 101 Building your own rod is not only fun, but when you catch a fish on the rod you built and the fly you tied, not much is better. Mike Kruise Individual Prices vary based on rod
Bamboo Rod Building Frank Drummond is an excellent bamboo rod builder and instructor. Come by the shop and we'll show you the rod Mike built under Frank's direction. Frank Drummond Individual $1000 (includes the rod you'll build), but prices vary based on rod
Call us at the shop to set up your class or trip
303-772-9110
Registration requires a $25.00 deposit to hold a place. You can register at the shop or use the e-mail link below.

E-Mail RegistrationLaughinggrizzly@comcast.net