Tying a Simple Rubber Legged Stone Nymph

Stoneflies are super common in many rivers, and they can live for up to two to three years depending on the specific species. Due to that they are always in the water that they live in as a nymph (underwater aquatic insect). This time of the year, and running into the next several weeks, these stonefly nymphs migrate towards the banks and exposed areas so they can crawl out onto dry land to hatch into their flying adult form. There are many representations of stonefly nymphs, and as many experienced fly anglers know, the more basic and simple versions with rubber legs often fish the best and are super productive. Below is a video on how to tie a simple rubber legged stonefly nymph.

Click Here to Watch Video

Materials: Make sure you look at some color combos for black stones, golden stones, and a few other types to get an idea of good color combinations. They are also very good for steelhead (summer run especially); so those can have a little more glitz and pizazz if you want to tie them that way. 

Hook: Bead Head Nymph Hook
Thread: 3/0 Orvis Thread
Body Material: Orvis Chenille or Orvis New Age Chenille
Weight: Orvis Lead Free Wire (size per fly size and how heavy you want it to be)
Ribbing: Ultra Wire
Legs: Orvis Silicone Legs or Orvis Silicone Flutter Legs

Fly Tying 201 Class This Friday - Spots open - FT201

This Friday 2/6/15 there will be a Fly Tying 201 Class at the Orvis Portland Store from 7-9pm. Cost of the class is $25 at the door, but you must stop by the store or call (503)598-7680 to sign up for the class prior to the class starting time (to avoid overfilling and having tying stations set up). We will provide everything for you during the class (unless you want to use your own tools/vise). We will tie several standard flies (trout style) that will give you the basis to tie many other patterns with the techniques you will use.

Catching fish like this on your own tied flies is super rewarding.

Tying a Marabou Wet Fly Streamer (Winter Steelhead Version)

Here is a simple fly tying video demonstrating how to tie a productive winter steelhead fly pattern for doing wet fly swing presentations. You can change the colors, change from a shanked hook to a tube fly, or an articulated stinger hook. You can make it sparser (with less turns of marabou) or bulkier (with more turns of marabou) depending on what you want to do with it, and you can use two or three colors to make it really interesting. Just leave enough room for more than one feather if you are seeking that "Popsicle" look, or try the famous "Winter Hope" colors to really have some fun with it.


Happy Tying!!

Click Here to View Video

Materials List

Hook:  Orvis 1645 #2 (or size you prefer)

Thread: Black 3/0 (or color preferred) 

Weight: (optional): Dumbell Eyes

Tail: (optional): Blue Ostrich (or color you prefer)

Body Material: Several Strands of New Age Holo Flash

Ribbing: Medium Red Copper Wire (or color you prefer)

Hackle: Black Strung Marabou

Flash: New Age Holo Flash and Blue Flashabou (or color you prefer)

Collar Hackle: Blue Guinea Hackle (or color you prefer)