Stonefly

[Dryrod]

[font "Pristina"][green][size 4][cool]Hey there Flygoddess - do you tie on a ribbing of wire to get your stonefly down a bit? Read where some do & others don't.[/size][/green][/font] [center][/center]
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[Anthonygreer]

stones tend to be top heavy while drifting. Throw most of your weight near the head for best effect.
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[Dryrod]

[font "Pristina"][green][size 4][cool]Thanks Anthonygreer - that is why I ask the question. Makes sense to me.[/size][/green][/font]
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[macfly55]

..dumb question.. can you use a small conehead or beadhead to add weight near the eye of the hook..??

MacFly [cool]
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[Scruffy_Fly]

ONLY if you want to. It is done a fair amount.


Generally, the ribbing is done to immitate sementation and not as a consideration for weight but it does certainly add a little bit of weight.

I guide told me that when stone flies break loose of the rock they are clinging to that they float down river with their thorax high and the tail (abodmen) down. He tied his half backs with the weight on the hook bend half of the shank so that the abdomen part of the halfback tended to be lower.

Then in the literature I have read that when stone flies break loose they try to swim aggressive for the bottom but then drift upward when they slow their burst of speed. Then they will have another burst of speed for the bottom. A bead head and wet on the front half of the fly would tend to imitate this action better.

Both sound plausible to me. I have tied stone fly nymph both ways but I can not report that either way is better than the other.
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[macfly55]

... so with both types tied and in your fly box you have the option of using one.. and if it is not working you can swithc to its counter part??? also, if you tie both types how can you tell them apart in your fly box??

MacFly [cool]
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[flygoddess]

Sorry DR. Just found this post. I do weight my Stoned Nymphs. I use the Non- lead wire up by the eye (same as on a haresear) but I run strips down the side also to give that wide flat appearance, plus you want it heavy. They stick to the bottom pretty good.
If I am just using Chenille and rubber legs, then I just cover the whole hook top with weighted wire to about even with the point of the hook (straight up) Does that make sense.
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[Dryrod]

[font "Pristina"][green][size 4][cool]Thanks FGD. That makes sense to me. In fact I will tie them several different ways. Just might wet them in the pool to see how each type reacts.[/size][/green][/font]
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[Scruffy_Fly]

[size 1]MacFly writes: if you tie both types how can you tell them apart in your fly box?? [/size]
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Tying at least the head with a different color thread works well for that. Any different color will work. A common thing recommended is red thread for weighted nymphs.

I don't do that I always think i will remember which is which by where I put them in the box or what box I put them in. But of course with time and use I suddenly realize I know longer can remember what is what. It seems as though someone told me it is because of age. But I can remember who.
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[Scruffy_Fly]

FG wrote: ....[size 1] use the Non- lead wire up by the eye (same as on a haresear) but I run strips down the side also to give that wide flat appearance, plus you want it heavy. .... [/size]
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[black]I use that technique also on some of the stonefly nymph patterns I tie.[/black]
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[macfly55]

I figured it was something as simple as that.. but I always like to check and make sure and get the straight skinny from more experiecned anglers and tyers..

.. as for the last remark on age.. I resemble that remark.. or at least I think I resemble that remark.. now all I have to do is remember that remark.. [sly]

MacFly [cool]
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[Dryrod]

[cool][font "Pristina"][green][size 4]Hey there Scruffy_Fly now that is a good piece of advise. [font "Verdana"][#000000][size 1]"Tying at least the head with a different color thread works well for that" [/size][/#000000][/font]Never too old to learn something new. Then again being too old I probably won't remember it. LOL[/size][/green][/font]
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[flygoddess]

I generally fish NO WEIGHT flies and let my line do the work, but I do use some weighted flies (specially on the rivers) and I do tap the head of my weighted flies with red thread. Like Scruffy, I thought I would know when the time came, but I don't. Specially when I use a patch or a rust proof box for tried flies. Then I really don't remember. Red thread is so easy....besides, whats wrong with red head...I'm one.....at least this month LOL
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[Dryrod]

[font "Pristina"][green][size 4][cool]Still playing around tying a stonefly. Added weight like FGD mentioned and added red thread re Scruffy_Fly & FGD suggested. As I was about to post a picture I ralized some thing was missing. Duh forgot to tie in some hackle. [blush] Looks kind of naked. So is back to the vise. BTW I added some red nail polish to the head thread so that it was more visible to the old eyes.[/size][/green][/font] [center][/center]
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[Scruffy_Fly]

Looks good to me DryRod. Here is one of my early attempts at a stone fly about 5 years ago.





The thorax and abdomen are out of porportion lengthwise. I did use FG method of putting the lead on. As you can see I did not use a different color thread for the head. The main reason was that I was stupid enough to think I could always remember. But the other half was I intented to only do this fly as a weighted nymph.

Oh, another reason to use a different colored thread is that some places such as Yellowstone National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park you can not use lead weighted flies nor lead weights. So if you have them ID'd with a special color then you can cull them out of your box before going to one of those places.
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[Dryrod]

[font "Pristina"][green][size 4][cool]Good point on the lead free zones S_F. The one in the photo I used brass wire sidings then wrap the same material around the body. I like how the Swiss straw soaks up the color. Learn something every day.[/size][/green][/font]
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[tubeN2]

We are not allowed to use the word "Naked" since this is a fambly site. It is OK to say that the fly was underdressed for the occasion though.[cool]
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[Dryrod]

[center][font "Pristina"][green][size 4][cool] You are absolutely correct. Here is my revised stonefly. Notice the dress.[/size][/green][/font] [][/center] [center][/center] [center][/center]
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[flygoddess]

DR you got way too much time on your hands[laugh]
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[tubeN2]

That little paper bag looks nice especially since they are going to outlaw the plastic bags in Cali.[crazy]
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