A Beginner’s Guide to The Black Stone Nymph

Fly Tying Materials for Black Stone Nymphs

Creating a Black Stonefly Nymph requires specific materials to imitate the look and movement of this aquatic insect. Here’s a complete list of materials, with English instructions to guide you in tying your own:

• Hook: Use a size 16 to 8 Mustad 3906, B, wet nymph, or sproat hook, 2x or 4x
• Thread: Use black thread in sizes 8/0 to 6/0, depending on the size of the hook
• Weighted (Optional): If you want the fly to sink, you can add weight to the hook
• Tail: Attach two goose biots dyed black to form the nymph’s tail
• Body: Use black dubbing or a Stonefly blend to create a natural body
• Ribbing: Use black V-rib or larva lace for ribbing to add a segmented look
• Thorax: Use additional black dubbing or Stonefly blend for a thicker thorax section
• Wing Case: Use dark turkey feather, goose quill, or flash wing material to mimic a natural wing case
• Legs (Optional): Tie in black hackle fibers along the sides to imitate legs
• Antenna (Optional): Use small black goose biot fibers as antennae for extra detail

With these materials and instructions, you can create a highly realistic Black Stonefly Nymph that effectively attracts trout and other fish that prey on stoneflies in the wild.

Fly Tying Instructions for Black Stonefly Nymph Patterns

1. Begin the Thread Base: Wrap the black thread along the hook shank, stopping at the bend.
2. Add the Tail: Tie in two black goose biots with their tips pointing outward to create the tail.
3. Add Weight (Optional): If you’d like the nymph to sink, wrap a few turns of 0.15 lead wire around the shank, securing it in place.
4. Attach the Ribbing: Tie in the black V-rib along the shank with the flat side facing down.
5. Create the Body (Abdomen): Dub black or Stonefly blend material along the shank, forming a tapered abdomen. Leave space near the hook eye for the wing case and thorax.
6. Add Ribbing for Segmentation: Wrap the V-rib over the body in the opposite direction of the dubbing, ensuring the flat side of the V-rib stays down. Secure in place.
7. Attach Wing Case Material: Tie in a dark turkey feather, goose quill, or flash wing material over the top of the abdomen.
8. Add the Thorax: Dub a thicker section of black or Stonefly blend material to form the thorax, just behind the wing case area.
9. Secure the Wing Case: Pull the wing case material forward over the thorax and tie it off neatly.
   • Optional Double Wing Case: If you prefer a double wing case, repeat steps 7 and 8, creating a second wing case over the thorax area.
10. Add Legs (Optional): Tie in black hackle fibers or pick out some of the thorax dubbing on each side with a dubbing needle to mimic legs.
11. Attach the Antenna (Optional): Tie in small black goose biots pointing forward from the eye to serve as antennae.
12. Finish the Head: Build a small, neat head by tapering the thread from the thorax to the hook eye, then tie off.
13. Final Touches: If you have a dubbing brush, lightly brush the body and thorax to pull out fibers, creating a “buggy” appearance.

Pro Tips

• Keep the body slightly shorter to allow space for the wing case.
• Avoid crowding the eye to leave room for a clean finish.
• The “buggier” the nymph, the more effective it will be at attracting fish!

How to Fish the Black Stonefly Nymph

Conditions

The Black Stonefly Nymph is an excellent choice for early-season fly fishing in the spring, but don’t limit yourself to just that time. This versatile pattern can be effective all season long. Feel free to experiment with different colors and materials to see what works best in your fishing environment. For example, some fly tiers have found success using a chartreuse abdomen paired with a black thorax, incorporating crystal flash for added attraction. While this variation may not resemble a traditional Stonefly, it can still yield impressive results.

Techniques

Nymphing is both an art and a science, and it can be one of the most productive methods for catching fish. Here are a few techniques to consider when fishing the Black Stonefly Nymph:

1. High-Sticking Pocket Water: Use this technique in fast-moving water, allowing your nymph to drift naturally in small pockets.
2. Bouncing Along the Bottom: Cast your nymph upstream and let it drift downstream while keeping contact with the bottom. This method mimics the natural movement of nymphs.
3. Dead Drift: Aim for a slow, natural drift that closely resembles how nymphs move in the water. Focus on getting a good drift by managing your line and minimizing drag.
4. On the Swing: After the nymph has drifted downstream, allow it to swing across the current to entice fish that may be lying in ambush.

Weight Management

Don’t hesitate to adjust your weight to ensure your nymph reaches the desired depth. A good friend once told me, “The difference between a good nymph fisherman and an excellent one is often just one split shot.” This highlights the importance of weight management in nymphing. By adding or removing weight, you can optimize your presentation based on water conditions and the depth where fish are holding.

Original Article By Brad Berlin

About The Author

Brad Berlin has been tying flies and fly fishing the streams of northeast and central Pennsylvania for over 30 years. He has guided on area streams and the Susquehanna River. Brad has taught classes in fly tying and casting and has served as president of the Columbia County Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.