Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2021 - 29

In fast water, I like a
high-stick method and
no indicator, a technique
that has become wellknown lately as Euronymphing, which allows
me to better manipulate
the stonefly through
pockets and behind
boulders, where feeding
fish are likely to be. I
prefer a weighted nymph,
and I sometimes add
a small splitshot about
a foot above the fly to
help get it to the bottom
quicker in faster current.
This is why I do not use
an indicator-the added
weight of a splitshot in
Stonefly nymph imitations are effective year-round. Never leave home without a selection of
combination with the
nymphs in various sizes and colors.
heavy current usually
drags it underwater
anyway. Also, in fast water, strikes may be fierce and easy
Even when adult stoneflies are in the air, though, trout
to detect.
do not always key in on insects the way you would expect.
Stonefly imitations work best when bounced along the
Stoneflies tend to hatch sporadically, and you will rarely
bottom. Experiment with different sizes of splitshot that
find clouds of insects in the air, which means fishing a
will get your fly down but not get snagged on every cast.
dry fly pattern is not always the best option. I do not often
Stoneflies cannot swim. When a stonefly is threatened or
carry a selection of stonefly dry flies, so when trout are
breaks loose from structure, it curls up as it bounces down
actively feeding on the surface, I do well with an Elk Hair
through the current and uncurls once it settles and feels
Caddis or Flying Ant in the same size as the naturals.
safe again.
Stoneflies and caddisflies have wings that lie parallel to its
Spring is symbolized by many things-the date on the
bodies. The biggest difference is that stonefly wings lie flat
calendar, the gobble of a big tom turkey, or the blooming of
along the backs while caddis wings are more tent shaped.
certain flowers. But, for fly anglers, it is those early season
Regardless, I had great success using a size 16 black Elk
stoneflies. Stoneflies are a rite of spring not to be missed.
Hair Caddis during little black stonefly hatches and a
Brown Caddis during early brown stonefly hatches.
Stonefly nymphs are a staple of a trout's diet year-round.
I cannot think of a time of year when I have not caught
trout on a stonefly nymph. Even better is that trout are not
too finicky when it comes to the size of the imitation used.
After all, at any time of year, stoneflies of all sizes can be
found on the stream bottom. I usually start with a pattern
a size or two bigger than the naturals, and if that doesn't
work, I drop down to a smaller size. The most common
colors I use are black, brown, and golden. All three in
various sizes (ranging from size 6 down to size 18) will
work any time of year wherever stoneflies are found.
Stonefly nymphs can be fished with or without an
indicator. In deeper, slow-moving pools that require a more
methodical approach, and strikes tend to be subtler, indicators
are a valuable tool. Stoneflies, though, tend to thrive better in
faster, well-oxygenated water such as riffles and runs. The low
profile bodies and little hooks on the feet of stoneflies allows it
Stoneflies have two tails and a distinctly segmented thorax.
Stoneflies can be found in a variety of colors including black,
to grip rocks in even the fastest moving water, so there really is
brown, golden, and yellow (pictured above).
no section of stream you should overlook.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2021

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2021

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