Bunyan Bug
Bunyan Bugs are a series of synthetic objects used as fly rod bait in fly-fishing, designed to look like a wide variety of insects, including grasshoppers, stoneflies, Mayflies, horse flies, bumble bees, ants and caddisflies. Origin. "The Saga of the Bunyan Bug" by Norman Means described the origins of the Bunyan Bug: History. "Bunyan Bugs" were designed by fly-tier and split bamboo fly rods maker Paul Bunyan (aka Norman Means) circa 1927, and originated in Montana. The construction of the Bunyan Bug is unique and has no parallel among other Montana or western trout flies. Norman 's grandson, Richard Rose has kept alive a legend that Bunyan Bugs have caught mammoth trout and bass on the western rivers of the Rocky Mountains. His Bunyan Bugs have now become very collectable. Gathering the right materials to construct a Bunyan Bug is difficult, as is having the knowledge and patience required to make them. The Bunyan Bug was never tied like conventional flies. Imitation versions of the Bunyan Bug that have been tied like conventional flies have no value or represent the history of this dry fly. Today Bunyan Bugs are very rare and collectible. Design. FlyAnglersOnline notes  The first Bunyan Bugs appeared in about 1929, and were all hand painted. Later, production models were made with a decal (fine tissue) which was lacquered in place making the paper disappear, leaving just the image. According to "Montana Trout Flies" by George Grant, the materials are: