Thoughts/Views on stonefly front appendages

[Jkilroy]

Just curious, what's everyones thoughts on front appendages on stonefly patterns? Are they realyy necessary if you put some on the side and back? Do they really make a difference? I'm tying some for Penns creek and I'd like to cut the time down a little.

I'd also like to hear any advice from anyone on how heavy and sizes I need for that creek. I hear they should be dark, is that correct? So far, I have some tied in 10's woven black over medium brown with black dubbing for the thorax/wingcase.

[AaronJasper]

It's funny that you mention darker stoneflies for that stream. It seems to me that a stonefly type pattern can't miss at times there. There are many species of stoneflies on that stream.

I have caught fish on the following patterns that resemble stonefly nymphs:

rubberlegs
dronestone
prince
halfback
large hares ears
yellow over brown woven nymphs
20 incher

And there are others that I can't think of...

As for the weighting of the nymphs. All will have lead underbodies. I like to use a bead. The type of bead will vary by water type and level. If it's low, I will substitute a brass bead of the appropriate color for the tungsten bead. Be sure to have them in a size 6 down to a 12. Stoneflies are two and three year life cycle insects so there are many different sizes of naturals available to the trout.

[Mantis]

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[biotstone]

I fish a pattern called a Biot Stone, which uses a total of 8 goose biots (two for the tail, 6 for the legs). It has a peacock herl body wrapped over a lead under-body, and a gold bead (tungsten or brass). I find size 8 to be most effective in general, though sizes 6 through 10 are also good, depending water speed and clarity, and the mood of the fish. I use this fly more than any other on the stream I live on here in Michigan, because it out-fishes every other pattern I've tried. That's why I selected it as my name on TPO.

I've tried many variations on this pattern over the years, including adding front appendages -- two short goose biots sticking out of the bead, splayed out around the eye of the hook. That version actually seems less effective, which seems odd, because it looks even more like a real stone.

I'm not sure why this is. It could be that the additional appendages adversely affect how the fly rides in the water. I know for sure that they reduce the sink rate slightly. But whatever the reason is, I've experimented with them enough to conclude that they are not worthwhile. Your mileage may vary.

[defranksflies]

I think at least legs are important

[AaronJasper]

I know that they slow the descent of the fly but I do love rubberlegs on my stonefly nymphs. That wiggling gets them excited.

[Troutastic]

Pat's Rubberlegs, aka "The Pickle" = easy to tie, heavy as sh;t, and the wiggle on the legs is awesome. Most people these days substitute the rubber legs with Super Floss, Spanflex or Flexi Floss. I think they're less dense than the rubber and would probably help with a faster descent. Definitely a go-to during higher flows, it always catches me fish around here.

As far as the legs being necessary... DEFINITELY. They make this fly. During runoff and murkier water, I'm a firm believer that the wiggle, whether it's on this pattern or other stonefly ones, entices the fish. Also, it creates a buggier silhouette in the water that grabs their attention as well.

[biotstone]

JKilroy (John Killinger) emailed me, asking if I would be willing to send him a picture of the biotstone fly I referred to above. I thought it would make sense to post it here, instead, since others might also want to see it. This is my first attempt to post a picture, so we'll see how it goes...

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Matt/Desktop/2010-05-27%2016.01.49.jpg]

[biotstone]

Once more, with feeling. (I this doesn't work, could someone chime in and tell me how to post a picture?)


Biot Stone

[Troutastic]

Start a photobucket account and upload the pictures there (its free). When you find a picture you want, down to the left is the html code that says "direct link." Copy that link, click on the insert image icon and paste the link there.