JoshVandermeer 0 Report post Posted January 22, 2009 I'm having trouble finding a good bead headed stone fly pattern for steelhead, and I was wondering what patterns you guys like to use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frank G. Swarner III 0 Report post Posted January 22, 2009 Josh, You seem like a proficient tyer.....why not come up with your own little "pattern"? I did some research on the streams I fish for steel, investigated the stoneflies, then tied a few generic patterns that have the right parts and they worked just fine. Plus if you have your own set of "patterns" that no one can buy anywhere, you have a little bit of edge on other anglers. You will also be showing the steel something different, which can go a long way when steelheading. The one I tie has biots for the tail, a simple dubbed body wrapped with wire for the abdomen. Swiss straw for the wingcases with a clump or two of rabbit fur for the gills/legs. Antennae made of biots tied on before the bead is put on the shank, then the bead is slid up for the head. Rust is one of my favorite colors along with black and brown. Good luck!! Frank Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Hat 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Josh, In my neck of the woods, we have very good luck with Prince Nymphs in sizes #6-#10 for steelhead. I like to tie a Prince nymph with a slightly oversized red bead head and bright red wire ribbing. The Kaufman's Stonefly is another great pattern. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoshVandermeer 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Josh, You seem like a proficient tyer.....why not come up with your own little "pattern"? I did some research on the streams I fish for steel, investigated the stoneflies, then tied a few generic patterns that have the right parts and they worked just fine. Plus if you have your own set of "patterns" that no one can buy anywhere, you have a little bit of edge on other anglers. You will also be showing the steel something different, which can go a long way when steelheading. The one I tie has biots for the tail, a simple dubbed body wrapped with wire for the abdomen. Swiss straw for the wingcases with a clump or two of rabbit fur for the gills/legs. Antennae made of biots tied on before the bead is put on the shank, then the bead is slid up for the head. Rust is one of my favorite colors along with black and brown. Good luck!! Frank yeah i do something similar to that but not with a bead, im gonna give that a try tho. Sometimes I'll put hackle for legs if I'm doing larger sized ones. Josh, In my neck of the woods, we have very good luck with Prince Nymphs in sizes #6-#10 for steelhead. I like to tie a Prince nymph with a slightly oversized red bead head and bright red wire ribbing. The Kaufman's Stonefly is another great pattern. Ive got a bunch of size 10 bead headed princes tied up for the spring, only I've got gold beads. Do you ever use prince nymphs without beads? I've been debating whether or not I should tie some like that. I sorta do my own take on the kauffman stone, mostly cause the goose quill part is a pain in the butt. I'll tie it on a size 8 - 12 scud hook, biots for a tail, dubbing for body with that stretchy black ribbing stuff, then ill cut 3 pieces sorta like the shape they do on kauffmans stone and tie those in, then ill put two more biots. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Hat 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 I tie a lot of my Princes w/o beads and weight the body. During the low water months, I won't weight them and just use a sinking leader. You have #10's try a couple #8's and #6's and just get creative with different attractive color schemes. An easy way to do the wing case is to just to keep the entire case one piece. Tie it in all in one piece, use your bodkin to fold it over itself, dub over it, fold it back and over on itself again and repeat. This is easier than cutting and shaping each piece. I also like to use this technique and replace the turkey with medallion sheeting. The Brook's Stone is another easier pattern to tie that works well. Just weight the body. I have never done it with a BH, but why not? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytyinfreak 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 How bout a double bead prince? one gold followed by a black/ i also tie a big size 8 3x prince found at www.theflyshop.com called :the delektable prince" you can see it on the websit and decide if it's for you or you need to tweak the pattern which i did, added bright orange rubber legs and a bigger chickabou tail also a crystal flash wing. I am using them for the stealhead nymph swap well see how they work back east. good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteelieD 0 Report post Posted February 13, 2009 Wired Stone... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pelhament 0 Report post Posted February 13, 2009 My top producers: Mega Prince Agent Orange Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites