Paul's May 2011 Fly of the Month

Phil’s Early Black Stone (Taeniopterux)

Hook:  Tiemco 100 or 102 Y – or equivalent dry fly hook, size #12, 14, 18   

Thread:  Black  

Body:  Black poly yarn.

Wing:  Grey poly yarn.   (you might also want to add some gray CDC to the wing.  The movement and  bubbles give it a life like effect)                                                                                            
Hackle:  Black or gray hen, one wrap.

I’ve seen a lot of “Early Black Stone Fly” patterns but I really like the one that my friend Phil Sheffield ties.  Most others are more complex and take a lot longer to tie than this one.  It’s an easy tie and it’s just as productive.  These little stone flies start hatching sometimes as early as January.  I’ve witnessed fantastic hatches in March here in Connecticut.   Perhaps one of the best of Early Black Stone hatches in CT occurs on the Mianus River.  I know that Phil has had great success with this pattern on the Yantic River. 

These bugs skidder, flutter, and dart around the water.  That’s exactly what you want to do when fishing it.  Give it a strip or two while its floating, and don’t be afraid at the end of your drift to pull it under water.  Many times trout will hit it as it goes subsurface.   These bugs come off around mid-day as the water heats up.  Before that you want to fish a little black stone fly nymph imitation. 

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a pattern of the month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .

.