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

March Brown Softhackled Wet Fly - Fly Tying Video

Here is a really easy fly to tie that also catches lots of trout on the lower McKenzie and Upper Willamette Rivers for much or March, April, and ending in early May. You can give this fly the classic wet fly swing, or you can fish off of a dry fly (dry and dropper). It is typically much more productive for fish catching compared to the dry fly patterns that mimic this large spring hatching mayfly.

Materials List:

Hook: Orvis 1641 Size 12 or 14

Thread: Orvis Tan 6/0

Rib: Copper Medium Ultra Wire

Body: Tan Ice Dubbing

Collar Hackle: Partridge feather - natural

March Brown Softhackled Wet Fly

Deschutes Fly Pattern That Works Well - The Chernobyl Chubby Norm

Chubby Chernobyl Norm Fly Pattern

The Chernobyl Chubby Norm is an excellent fly pattern that gets rave reviews amongst Deschutes Anglers all over. It can be fished alone or with your favorite beadhead nymph dropped off of it. With the higher than average water flows this season it is a great choice to fish this fly. You can see it very easily and it leaves a big bold impression on the high water, but when the trout approaches, it sees a subtle understated golden stone with lots of movement and action.

Recipe For the Chernobyl Chubby Norm:
Thread - Flymaster +Plus+ (140 Denier)
Hook - Spear-It S300 Hooks
Body - Foam - Fly Foam (2mm) Dubbing - Mottled Nymph Blend
Wing - Calf Tail
Legs - Dancing Leggs
Tail - Crystal Splash






I know I am fired up to fish the Chubby Chernobyl Norm when I hit the Deschutes up. I am looking forward to see how it compares to favorites of mine like the Norm Wood's Special or the Clark's Stone.

Some favorite stonefly patterns tied for the Deschutes

Don't forget that I am also able to do FLY TYING INSTRUCTION, and I can teach fly tying classes on a private basis or a group basis. If you are interested in getting together to tie up some Chubby Chernobyl Norms or some other patterns you may be curious about then contact me.