I am a fairly new fly fisher and a very new fly tyer. I have been fishing a lot lately on a fly fishing section and doing quite well, but about every half hour there is a stonefly hatch that falls out of the trees and the fish absolutely go nuts over them.
I need a good pattern with instructions for these. They are very dark grey in color almost black, about a half inch long.
Thanks.
This fly has worked great for that hatch. Don’t know about the stones where you are, but where I was they had wings that were immitated really well by this pattern. The stoneflies get blown off the trees by the wind, and land skittering on the surface.
http://danica.com/flytier/hweilenmann/cdcelk.htm
We just waited for the next “flotilla” to come floating downstream, then cast to where the fish were. Dry fly fishing with a size 14 fly in March - gotta love it!
Check out this thread and then check out Doug’s black stimulator pattern…a good looking fly…
Ducksterman, Where can I find Doug’s black stimulator pattern??
Here is the Black Stimulator Image: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/291579373_ee12764897.jpg?v=0
And it is not mine.
Kaufmann’s Giant Black Stimulator w/small Image: http://www.kaufmannsstreamborn.com/images/Products/FLYGNTST/fs.jpg
Doug
Skeeter - Just trying to give you a bit of “local” help. The early black stones here in Northeast PA have a very small, slender body. The wings are much longer than the actual body, which makes the bugs look much larger than they appear to the fish. Most of these bugs are skittering on the surface, and when they do, their wings appear a tan or medium gray in color. The egg laying females also have a bright orange egg cluster on top of their abdomen about where it meets the thorax, but since it is on top, I don’t feel it is much of a factor in fish seeing it, but the skittering is typical of how the eggs are dropped off in the water.
The stimulator is a great stonefly dry immitation for the larger stoneflies we see later in the season, but not so good for the early black/brown stoneflies. The body profile is too fat, and to tie one of the right size would be a daunting task for an inexperienced tier.
Of the primary triggers (size, shape, color, behavior - in that order of importance), the stimi doesn’t fare well in this particular application. Thus my choice of the cdc/elk recommendation. It meets the trigger requirements almost perfectly, especially if you use a darker cdc feather. It’s also MUCH easier to tie than a stimi, which should help out an inexperienced tier.
The proof is in the pudding though, and in the past two weekends, I’ve encountered a prolific amount of early black stones on a Pocono freestone stream. The guys I fished with tried lots of different immitations (including stimulators in darker colors), but nothing even came close to the cdc/elk.
Try both and let the fish be the judge. My money is on the cdc/elk.
If you not good at ting try a Henryville Special just use permenant marker. Did it the other day at the Big FlatBrook North east corner of New Jersey. Caught 4 rising trout skidding it over the flows. worked like a charm good luck be well one and all
jcntheriver
If you not good at tying try a Henryville Special just use permenant marker. Black of course, Just don`t paint the wings. Did it the other day at the Big FlatBrook North east corner of New Jersey. Caught 4 rising trout skidding it over the flows. worked like a charm good luck be well one and all
jcntheriver
jc - funny you should mention this. I was fishing just a short drive from where the Henryville Special was invented. I did try one yesterday, and did catch a couple on it.
http://www.virtualflybox.com/patterns/pattern.php?swap_id=14&id=139
Heres a video on Youtube of a Black Adult Stonefly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wP2Ebce1TQ Hope this helps,
Nic
Hi,
You could try pheasant tail fibres dyed black wrapped on the shank (or black seals fur), then use a grey partridge feather for a softhackle collar (1 turn). Tie on a dry fly hook (size to suit), cast gently, and you would have a spider version that should do ok sitting in the surface film.