The Dark Stone Fly
This is a pattern more popular in the USA , and New Zealand , than here in the UK. It is a large fly that makes only a brief appearance as an adult fly. In it’s nymphal stage it is a generous morsel for a trout.
I would suggest a long shank 8 hook for both the nymph and the adult fly. The pattern I have tied is from a book by an American author , Edson Leonard , dated in the 1950s. A large pheasant tail nymph with a leaded underbody would be adequate for the nymphal stage.
The Dressing
Hook - Long Shank 8 ( light wire )
Tail – Bronze Mallard ( a generous bunch ) optional
Rib – Fine Mono
Body – A mix of brown and grey Seals Fur. Dub 3/4 of the hook length. After tying in build up a base for the wing. The wing has to lie flat along the top of the body. If the wing ‘ cocks up ‘ carefully unwind and apply more even turns to the base and try again.
Hackle - 2 Cree Cock Hackles ( brown as an alternative ). Wind the 2nd hackle through the 1st. Make a nice neat head and tie off ( as an option you can trim the underbody hackle fibres ).
Wing - Brown Turkey quill , doubled and tied flat .
Antennae – ( optional ) bronze mallard fibres.
This is an easy pattern to tie and it just might be useful to have a couple tied in case you are there on the right day.
Happy Fishing
Dave C. and the Team
Posted by David Cammiss 
