Little Green Stonefly

NYMPH SIZE: 7-12 mm

NYMPH COLOR: Dark brown

ADULT SIZE: 9-12 mm

ADULT COLOR: Pale yellow to light green body (greens can be fairly bright); light green to pale yellow wing.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS: Nymphs have no external gill filaments. Adults have well-developed tails.

About Little Green Stoneflies

Nymphs of little green stoneflies live in plant debris in riffles and runs with moderate flow. They are seldom available to trout until mature nymphs migrate towards shore to emerge. During the migration, you can dead-drift a nymph near the bottom with some success.

The best fishing is in the evening when adult females lay their eggs on the water. A dry fly works well at this time. There's nothing tricky about the fishing--standard patterns of the appropriate size and color, presented with standard tactics in obvious places. The problem is that most fly anglers don't even know there's a hatch on. Other, more glamorous bugs are hitting their stride at this time of year (July and August), and the little green stones are overlooked in the fading light of a long summer evening. While anglers may be unaware of their presence, trout are often keenly interested.

Articles About Little Green Stoneflies

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Beyond the Big Stones When the big salmonflies and golden stones fade away, trout often turn their attention to the little green and yellow stones. Be ready with these slick patterns. Jeff Morgan

STAGE

PATTERN

SIZE/
COLOR

PRESENTATION

WHERE

Egg-layer

Parachute Hares Ear, Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis

10-16/Pale green, pale yellow

Standard dry fly

Riffles, seams, backeddies, below riffles