The Insect Buffet III: The Ugly Buglies
Back in Las Vegas again, it seems I’m always on the road. This edition of the Insect Buffet is dedicated to the Prime Rib of the insect world, the venerable Stone Fly!
(If you missed the previous emails for The Insect Buffet Series, click on Part I: Midges, or Part II: Mayfly Munchies)
The stonefly and its hatches are a much anticipated event in areas where there are Freestone Rivers and turbulent water. These are huge bugs and the trout feast on them like a former football player at an all you can eat prime rib buffet!
These are not dainty bugs. While some can be as small as a #20, the majority are in the range of #12 to #2. Those are some big bugs. Rick termed them the ugly buglies….and that name has kinda stuck.
Stonefly Hatch
Their life cycle is egg, nymph, adult…no spinner fall for these bad boys. The adults have four long wings that are held flat over the back. The wings tend to be very hard and shiny with noticeable veins.
The interesting aspect about these insects is that when the nymph matures, they crawl to land and emerge. They can be found all around stones (hence the name), bushes and anything hanging over the bank. Here, they mate and return to the river to lay their eggs.
Stonefly Nymph, Bead Head, Black
Stonefly Nymph, Wired, Bead Head, Golden
Yellow Sally Nymph Bead Head
Batman Nymph, Bead Head, Purple
After a few days, they will lay their eggs, then emerge. The stonefly hatch can be a dramatic event: the trout get very aggressive and they will absolutely crush these bugs. It’s a lot of protein in one bite for them.
This can be the perfect set up for a hopper dropper rig. Run a large stonefly adult up front and put either a stonefly nymph as a dropper or a mayfly imitation. I’ll often do double dry if I’m in cutthroat territory. Cutties love a dry fly and can be very aggressive.
Gypsy King, Variant-Stone
Skwala Stonefly, Bullet Head, Adult
Crystal Stimulator, Rubber Legs, Yellow
Foamulator, Olive
Salmon Fly Hatch
There’s stonefly hatches, then there’s the Salmon Fly hatch. Salmon flies come off around late June just after the famed Northwest run off. They are Big, Orange, and Ugly!
I was fishing a few years back with a guide, Jim Mitchel, on the Blackfoot River. I put on a #4 Sofa Pillow as my lead fly and a #10 Orange Crystal Stimulator as my dropper. He thought I was nuts - my presentation looked like two flip flops drifting down the river - until I caught lightning in a bottle: two 20” rainbows took the two flies at the exact same time! Talk about a fight….talk about a fish story! It was one of the most fantastic experiences I’ve had on the water. I think I’ll be giving Jim a call this year!
Salmon Fly, Hair Wing Triple Decker
Sofa Pillow, Salmon Fly, Stonefly Adult
Stone, Dog Puke, Salmon Fly, Trina's
Crystal Stimulator, Rubber Legs, Orange
Northwest Hatch Chart
Below is a hatch chart for the Northwest with the stoneflies bolded. If you ever have the opportunity to catch one of these hatches, you’re in for a treat.
As always.....
Tight Lines and Screaming Drags
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