The Stone

Fly: Philip Bailey, Photograph: Hans Weilenmann

Hook: Tiemco 103BL size 17
Thread: 8/0 Uni thread, Black
Butt: Fluorescent green thread tied slightly into the bend
Body: A single CDC feather, dyed olive/brown (Petitjean Bistre) tied in the tip and twisted as it is wrapped
Wing: 2 CDC feathers (as for body) tied on top of body as a wonder wings
Thorax: CDC (as for body) dubbing.

This fly was originated to imitate the needle flies (Leuctridae species of stoneflies) that are on the Yorkshire waters from February through to the end of November.

It is a very simple fly to tie and is better rough than tied ‘nice’. This fly fishes right in the surface and when the needle flies are on the water, this is a killing fly. I often give them to other fly fishermen and tell them to tie it on behind a tree. The fish seem to devour this fly and the take is usually vicious and the fly is often well down the trout of the fish. One of my standard ‘go to flies’ for late summer fishing.

Back to Thumbnails

© 2010 Hans Weilenmann
Please don't copy/distribute the contents of this page without my explicit permission.