Almost Stonefly Time.....

[Castaline]

Here in the northeast anyway. What are some of your favorite black stonefly dries? Whats the best way to present them when they are taking the ones dancing over the surface? The palmered hackle patterns I have used in the past don't seem to cut it too well when I try to skate them over the surface.

[jason]

hi casta....I've never really had a chance to fish dries for stones but for a good "skating" pattern I would recommend lafontaine's dancing caddis in the size and color of whatever stone you are trying to imitate. I modify the tiemco 200r hook to get the right shape. The wing act as a kind of hydroplane and the slightest twitch sends it skating! Good luck and let us know how it goes!...Jason

[cluster]

wow thanks for the heads-up on the dancing caddis pattern. that looks like a seriously killer fly.

[Castaline]

Yes thanks. I'll tie a few up. I like to watch the trout when they chase down the skating naturals.... Wham! they crush them!
I just saw a pattern in the latest Fly Fisherman that was a caddis tied with deer hair but not the tips using the hollow hair that is trimmed ..... looks like it will really float.

[AaronJasper]

I have seen them in the snow the last few times out! It's olive time as well on some of the limestoners. Spring is coming

[buckbee]

while not black stones, i have fond memories of fishing with my dog 'Pike', one time during a yellow stone fly hatch. he was drying off, sleeping center river on big flat sun drenched rock and the breeze picked up, flies went everywhere, fish started looking up and so did my catching. after a bit i waded over to Pike. he was covered in yellow stone flies.

sigh...

[Esopus Guy]

I tie red butt black Stimi's for my local catskill hatch hatch in #6-#10. Winter Blacks are out now.

[AaronJasper]

The streams aren't iced over too bad?

Have you been out lately? I know you've been to CT, but have you tried any of the C and R sections in the catskills?