Little Black Stone

Nymphs: Step-by-step fly tying instructions.

John Collins' Little Black Stone - Fly tying instructions

Little Black Stone created by John Collins.

This pattern imitates the early season little black and brown stonefly nymphs common in the Eastern United States. The pattern is basically a beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph, but tied using dyed black pheasant tail and dyed black peacock herl and a silver rib instead of the traditional copper. The Silver Nymph-Head Heavy Metal tungsten bead compliments the silver ribbing and is a great attractor. This is a great pattern to use when these nymphs are ready to hatch into adults, which is near the end of winter (late February into March), but it can be used virtually anytime.

Fly tying materials

Hook: Dai-Riki 285 # 14 thru #18.
Thread: Black 8/0.
Head: Silver Nymph-Head Heavy Metal™ tungsten bead (with eyes painted red).
Abdomen: Pheasant tail fibers dyed black.
Thorax: Peacock herl dyed black.
Tail: Pheasant tail fibers dyed black.
Rib: Size small silver wire.
Wing case: Pearlescent Flashabou, folded back stonefly style.

Fly tying instructions

Step 1

Cover the hook shank from bead backwards to midway part of hook and attach the Silver wire, bringing tying thread to just where the hook starts to curve and whip finish once to secure in place.

Step 2

Attach the Pheasant Tail fibers to the hook shank (4 to 5 wraps of thread) with tips protruding off hook for tails. Then bring the thread forward about 2/3 of the way back up the hook shank.

Step 3

Twist the butt ends of the Pheasant Tail fibers into a rope and proceed to wrap the fibers forward to the stopping point of your thread in step 2. Then tie down the fibers.

Step 4