How to Tie a Black Stone Nymph

The Black Stone nymph -- or black stonefly as it is commonly called -- is a type of hatch used in fly fishing. This deceptive lure is designed to look like an actual stonefly; it primarily attracts trout and bass. Using a black stonefly hatch can result in some of the best fishing of the first part of the season, especially when the females are coming back to the streams after breeding.

Things You'll Need

  • No. 18 hook
  • Thread spool
  • Scissors
  • Vice
  • Black goose feather.
  • Black dubbing
  • Grey swiss straw
  • Hackle feather
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Instructions

    • 1

      Insert the hook into the vice, and begin wrapping your thread around the body of the hook.

    • 2

      Apply the black dubbing to your thread. Continue wrapping the thread to form a ball at the end of the hook.

    • 3

      Cut off two small goose feathers; place one on each side of the shank. Wrap the thread around the feathers to secure the tail of your hatch. Trim the tags off the end of the tail.

    • 4

      Apply more black dubbing to your thread to form the abdomen. Stoneflies tend to be pretty dainty. Wrap the abdomen only a few times with thread so it remains thin.

    • 5

      Stop wrapping the abdomen about three-quarters of the way from the head of your hook; attach a small sliver of grey Swiss straw for the wings. Wrap the thread around the straw several times to secure it. Snip off the end piece.

    • 6

      Attach a hackle feather directly in front of the wings -- facing away from the head of your fly -- by wrapping the thread around the base of the feather. Trim off any excess stem from the hackle.

    • 7

      Apply a small amount of dubbing to the thread to finish the head. Wrap the thread around the head of your fly several times to create a small head.

    • 8

      Wrap the hackle feather around the head of the hook. Secure with thread and cut off the excess hackle feather. Trim the wings so they barely cover the abdomen of the stonefly.