Montana Stone

HOOK: TMC 5263, sizes 4-10 THREAD: Black TAIL: Black hackle fibers ABDOMEN: Black chenile WINGCASE: Black chenile HACKLE: Black THORAX: Yellow chenile

Uses

Imitates the nymphs of the salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica). This fly must be fished on the bottom. Period. So weight it heavily under the body, then flatten the weight with pliers. For extra weight, put on a bead head. Yes, you're going to lose a lot of flies. This traditional pattern must work somewhere, but I've never seen a yellow-bellied stonefly in any Oregon river. Perhaps it's different in Montana.

Variations

Rubber legs are optional. Vary colors to match the available insects. Most of the big salmonfly nymphs are black, with some chocolate brown ones. The slightly smaller golden stoneflies are more of a mottled tan; use size 8-12 hooks for them.

How to Fish

Dead drift on the bottom with an indicator or tight line presentation. The best areas are bouldery sections, riffles, and just below riffles.