Black Stonefly - step by step

[CharlieD 0]

Stonefly nymphs are usually larger and bulkier than most other nymphs so creating the proper body shape is important to creating a good-looking stonefly nymph. Below is one of the most common methods of creating a stonefly nymph underbody but there are other methods that are just as good so don’t think this is the only way to do it.

 

Start by putting an appropriate hook in the vice. I like a hook with at least a 2x or 3x long shank. The R200 style hooks look good for stoneflies.

 

 

Cover the shank of the hook with thread.

 

 

Lash two pieces of thick lead wire to the hook shank, one on either side. Depending on how heavy you want the stonefly nymph to be you can use other materials. I also use tin wire, a lighter substitute for lead, and sometimes even thick monofilament if I want the fly to be light and buoyant.

 

 

At this point, if you are making a smaller stonefly you may have enough bulk and weight from just the two pieces of wire. If this is the case, cover the lead with thread and then with Dave’s flex cement and let it dry. Then you can go straight to tying the nymph.

 

If not, proceed by wrapping lead wire over the hook shank and the other pieces of lead.

 

 

After you are done wrapping use a pair of flat nosed pliers to flatten the lead further.

 

 

Cover the lead with tying thread and coat it with Dave’s Flex Cement and let it dry. If I know I am going to tie a bunch of stone flies I will tie up a bunch of these under bodies first and then do the flies.

 

 

 

 

After you have completed the underbody start the fly by tying a ball of dubbing in at the bend of the hook

Next tie in 2 black goose biots, one on either side of the dubbing ball so they splay out on either side of the hook shank

Now tie in a piece of copper wire on the bottom of the hook shank. This will be used as a rib for the fly.

Tie in a piece of black swiss straw on top of the hook shank.

Apply some black dubbing to about the middle of the hook shank for the abdomen of the fly.

Next fold the swiss straw over the top of the abdomen of the fly making sure to leave a small bit of it hanging over the bubbing ball at the end. This can be accomplished by folding it over a dubbing needle.

Now rib the abdomen of the fly with the copper wire, using it to bind down the swiss straw, tie it off and clip off the excess wire.

Fold the swiss straw back and bind it down.

Tie in a small amount of dubbing to create the beginning of the thorax.

Fold the swiss straw forword, again over the dubbing needle to leave some excess hanging out over the abdomen. This will represent the first wing case.

Fold the swiss straw back and bind it down.

Tie in a black hen hackle on top of the fly and by the tip. This will represent the legs of the fly

 

Tie in a small amount of dubbing to continue the thorax.

Fold the hen hackle over the dubbing and tie it down.

Fold the swiss straw forword, again over the dubbing needle to leave some excess hanging out over the first wing case. This will represent the second wing case.

Fold the swiss straw back and bind it down.

Tie in a small amount of dubbing to continue the thorax.

Fold the swiss straw foreword, this time without the use of the dubbing needle, tie it in, fold it back and bind it down again.

Next tie in 2 black goose biots, one on either side of the hook eye so they splay out on either side of the hook shank

now tie in some mono eyes on top of the hook.

Tie in some dubbing around the eyes to finish the head.

Fold the swiss straw foreword, again without the dubbing needle and tie it down.

Clip off the excess and whip finish the head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

Charlie, EXCELLENT tutorial!!!

[Houndog 0]

Great tutorial, thanks for sharing!

[letumgo 0]

Terrific tutorial, Charlie!

[ONE2H8ON 0]

great, fishable pattern. after you do a few, it gets much easier. (if youre not used to using some of these tecniques, i tie mostly dry patterns.)

[Odaon 0]

What kind of dubbing is that? and what size hook are you using, also what size mono eyes?

[CharlieD 0]

Odaon,

 

The dubbing is Kaufmann’s black stonefly blend. The hook is a #4 but you can use a smaller or larger one depending on the size of the stoneflies in your area. The mono eyes are ones I burned my-self so I guess there really is not a size for them. I would say the medium or large pre made ones would be close.

[Odaon 0]

Odaon,

 

The dubbing is Kaufmann’s black stonefly blend. The hook is a #4 but you can use a smaller or larger one depending on the size of the stoneflies in your area. The mono eyes are ones I burned my-self so I guess there really is not a size for them. I would say the medium or large pre made ones would be close.

 

Thank you very much.

 

Sorry I was wondering a few more things, what size are the two different types of lead you use? And what size thread and wire are you using?

 

Thanks again.

[Odaon 0]

This pattern is awesome. I can't wait to tie some up.

[harry_lfc 0]

nice one looks like a lot of time and effort went into this fly sure to catch

[HobbesFly 0]

That is an AWESOME tutorial! Outstanding looking fly too!

[INS 0]

Charlie, Tutorial was great. I haven't tied a stone in awhile but this one that I tied looks great. Not as good as yours though. Thanks. :yahoo:

[Poil&Plume 0]

Great pattern, great tutorial, easy to tie. Thanks!

 

Poil&Plume