Stoneflies are almost always the largest aquatic insect available in any moving water, offering trout an abundance of calories in a single bite. Add their year-round availability as a food source and a dependable stonefly nymph becomes a fly you can confidently fish almost any time. Flipping a few rocks and looking for casings near the edge of the stream will give you a good idea of the size and color of stoneflies that are present and quickly illustrate their unique anatomy—long antennae and an abundance of legs—both of which create a lot of motion in the water.

The CDC Stonefly is tied with large biots to imitate the antennae and tail and a CDC feather collar to create natural movement. Topped off with a heavy tungsten bead, this fly gets down near the bottom quickly. And because it’s tied on a jig hook, hangups happen less frequently.