Golden Stonefly

NYMPH SIZE: 22-38 mm

NYMPH COLOR: Mottled dark brown to yellow-tan

ADULT SIZE: 22-38 mm

ADULT COLOR: Yellow-brown to golden head and abdomen; medium brown wing.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Nymphs have gills between legs ("hairy armpits"). Adult males are smaller than females. Females develop dark brown egg sac at rear of abdomen prior to laying eggs.

Mouse-over for alternate views: Nymph 1    Nymph 2    Adult 1    Adult 2

About the Golden Stonefly

Golden stoneflies behave in a manner similar to salmonflies, but they are a tad smaller and on most streams they begin hatching about two weeks later. Their hatch season overlaps with the salmonflies, so adults of both species are often available at the same time. I believe that given a choice, trout prefer the golden stones.

Nymphs are large and live in riffles and rocky, bouldery areas with moderate to fast current. They often lose their grip and are taken all year by trout. An appropriate pattern dead-drifted near the bottom is effective. Choose your imitation carefully, however. Many fly shops sell a golden stonefly nymph that is golden in color, but the actual nymph is mottled shades of tan, black, and brown. However, when golden stonefly nymph molt, the new instar can briefly be a much brighter color. It's possible that trout key in on that brighter shade, which would explain why an imitation works when it seems to be unlike the color of the vast majority of the natural insects.

When mature, the nymphs crawl to shore, climb onto alder trunks, grass stems, exposed rocks, and other out-of-the-water objects. In the process of migrating towards shore, many nymphs are knocked lose. Also, migration is heaviest near dawn and dusk, so fish a nymph pattern near shore at those times.

Once the nymph is out of the water, the winged adult emerges. They soon mate, and females return to the water to lay their eggs--usually in the afternoon or early evening. When adults are present, drift a dry fly through riffles and rocky areas, under overhanging tree limbs, and near shore. If your imitation is well chosen and your presentation is good, you won't be dissapointed.

Nymphs typically live three years underwater. Adult lifespans are two or three weeks.

Golden stonefly tactics are mostly the same as salmonfly tactics, so for more details see the articles mentioned below.

Articles About Golden Stoneflies

Click headline to read entire article

Motion Flies In fly patterns as in politics, illusion can trump reality. Jeff Morgan

Last-Minute Stones Salmonfly/golden stone season is upon us. How's your fly box? Try putting these three patterns in there! Jeff Morgan

Salmonfly Nymphs Salmonfly nymphs are a the Big Mac of the river, an irrestible morsel for trout. Spring and fall are the best times to cast their imitations. Mike Schoby

Fishing the Salmonfly Hatch Adored by anglers and trout, salmonflies are the big bug of the river. But many anglers don't approach the fish and the "hatch" as they should--and loose fish they shouldn't. Scott Richmond

STAGE

PATTERN

SIZE/
COLOR

PRESENTATION

WHERE

Nymph

A. P. Nymph, Brooks Stone, Kaufmanns Stonefly, Rubber Legs, Matts Fur

6-8/Tan, yellow-tan, dark brown

Indicator, Tight line

Riffles, moderate-fast runs; just below these

Adult

Clarks Stonefly

6-8/Brown-yellow, gold-yellow

Standard dry fly

Bankwater near foilage

MacSalmon, Madam X, Sofa Pillow, Stimulator

6-8/Brown-yellow, gold-yellow

Standard dry fly, Skating

Bankwater near foilage

Egg-layer

Clarks Stonefly, MacSalmon, Madam X, Sofa Pillow, Stimulator

6-8/Dark brown-yellow

Standard dry fly, Skating

Riffles, moderate-fast runs, backeddies, seams