10 patterns to have in your fly box for stoneflies
By Derek Draplin
Stoneflies make up one of the four major hatches in a trout’s diet. Having a good selection of patterns in differing sizes and colors in your fly box is essential to imitate a variety of stoneflies found across the Western U.S.
These bugs crawl up the riverbanks before shedding their exoskeleton and emerging as adults. Therefore, a nymph pattern dropped off a big dry fly and cast along the banks is an ideal way to fish this hatch.
In no particular order, here are some of our favorite stonefly patterns:
DRIES
Morningwood Special
When you need a very buoyant salmonfly pattern, look no further than Charlie Craven’s Morningwood Special. The extended and segmented body gives it a natural look, and the foam gives it the buoyancy to support a heavy dropper.
Flushfloater Stone
This pattern was designed to ride low in the surface film but has a hi-vis wing to help anglers see dirty water commonly found when salmonflies are hatching.
Foam Stone
This simple but versatile fly imitates a yellow sally, but doubles as an attractor or terrestrial pattern. It rides high in the water because of the foam body yet still has a natural look.
Rogue Foam Stone
This pattern provides a nice silhouette for trout looking up for adult stoneflies. Get them in orange, sizes #4-#8 for salmonflies, and yellow in sizes #10-#12 for golden stones.
Kaufmann’s Stimulator
A classic and versatile dry fly pattern, Kaufmann’s Stimmy in larger sizes (orange for salmonflies or yellow for golden stones) makes an excellent imitation for stoneflies. The hackle and wing gives it a bushy look that gets fish excited.
NYMPHS
Straggle Stone
This pattern is a buggy-looking nymph for when you want to add some flash to your rig. According to tyer Devin Olsen, this pattern works great “early in the year when some flash helps set it apart in stained water.”
Pat’s Rubber Legs
It’s safe to say this is the most successful subsurface pattern that imitates a stonefly nymph. Make sure you have this in a variety of colors and sizes, both with a bead and no bead. This pattern comes jigged, too.
Barr’s Tungstone Flashback
This pattern has become a staple among Blue Quill’s guides. It’s got a natural look and sinks fast to get in the fish’s zone quick.
Pennington's Improved Rib Golden Stone
This fly’s D-ribbing gives it a realistic segmentation and makes for an enticing meal for trout keying in on big golden stoneflies. Get them while they still last!
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig
A good ole’ soft hackle PT does an excellent job of imitating smaller stonefly nymphs. The jigged variant is favored as a dropper off a big stonefly dry since it sinks fast and helps reduce hangups in high, dirty water.
Check out our full selection of stonefly dry and nymph patterns. Plus, Umpqua UPG fly boxes are 50% OFF right now!
Derek is a guide and instructor for The Blue Quill Angler.