{
  "url": "https://theflybench.com/patterns/barr-s-tungstone",
  "id": "cm8v25j0w00aeusxbpyasqic9",
  "title": "Barr's Tungstone",
  "slug": "barr-s-tungstone",
  "description": "The Barr's Tungstone is a reliable nymph pattern that imitates a variety of stonefly and mayfly nymphs. Its tungsten bead head gives it the weight needed to get down deep where trout feed, and its flashy body attracts attention.",
  "imitates": "Stoneflies, Mayflies",
  "patternCategory": "nymph",
  "difficulty": "Intermediate",
  "variantOf": "",
  "targetSpecies": "Trout",
  "waterTypes": [
    "Moving Water"
  ],
  "seasons": [
    "Year Round"
  ],
  "materials": "**Hook**: Tiemco 3769, size #10–#14\n**Bead**: Gold tungsten, size to match hook\n**Thread**: Brown 8/0 Uni-thread\n**Tail**: Pheasant tail fibers\n**Body**: Gold tinsel\n**Ribbing**: Copper wire\n**Thorax**: Peacock herl\n**Legs**: Partridge feather fibers",
  "images": [
    {
      "url": "/images/patterns/nymph/barr-s-tungstone.webp",
      "source": "The Fly Bench"
    }
  ],
  "videos": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSJ2Ntq57lQ",
      "label": "InTheRiffle"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01cdfvXS9_s",
      "label": "Trout Fly Nation"
    }
  ],
  "createdAt": "2025-03-29T22:20:16.303Z",
  "updatedAt": "2025-04-06T02:50:43.685Z",
  "regions": [
    "Rocky Mountain"
  ],
  "waters": [
    "South Platte River"
  ],
  "tags": [
    "dead-drift",
    "indicator-nymph",
    "baetis-hatch",
    "stonefly-hatch",
    "guide-fly",
    "attractor",
    "searching-pattern",
    "high-water"
  ],
  "essential": false,
  "tier": "",
  "entomology": {
    "order": "Plecoptera",
    "family": "",
    "commonName": "Stonefly",
    "organismType": "insect",
    "lifeStage": "general",
    "behavior": "Stonefly nymphs crawl actively across rocky bottoms in fast, well-oxygenated water, using powerful legs to grip substrate while foraging on smaller insects and algae. These robust nymphs periodically lose their grip in heavy current or during pre-emergence migrations toward shore, tumbling downstream in a vulnerable, drifting posture. Their large size, meaty profile, and year-round availability make them highly sought-after prey that triggers aggressive strikes from opportunistic feeders."
  },
  "relatedPatterns": [
    {
      "slug": "mr-rapidan",
      "type": "same-hatch"
    },
    {
      "slug": "adams-irresistible",
      "type": "same-hatch"
    },
    {
      "slug": "barr-s-vis-a-dun",
      "type": "same-hatch"
    },
    {
      "slug": "adams-fly",
      "type": "same-hatch"
    },
    {
      "slug": "biot-parachute",
      "type": "same-hatch"
    },
    {
      "slug": "the-magic-dun-soft-hackle",
      "type": "same-hatch"
    },
    {
      "slug": "bwo-parachute",
      "type": "same-hatch"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cdc-captive-dun",
      "type": "same-hatch"
    }
  ],
  "behaviorPresentation": "**Natural Behavior**: Stonefly nymphs crawl actively across rocky bottoms using powerful legs to grip substrate while foraging. They periodically lose grip in heavy current or during pre-emergence migrations, tumbling downstream in vulnerable drifting posture.\n**Where Trout Eat It**: Fast, well-oxygenated runs and riffles where stoneflies forage on rocky substrate.\n**How to Fish It**: Maintain contact with bottom structure to match natural tumbling drift of dislodged nymphs.\n**Best Water**: Work seams, current breaks, and pockets where stoneflies lose grip and enter the drift.\n**Strike Type**: Watch for indicator dips or line tightening as fish intercept drifting nymphs.",
  "fishingStrategy": "**Rigging Suggestions**: Use a standard nymphing rig with a strike indicator and weight if needed. This fly works well as the point fly in a two-fly setup. **Seasonal Timing**: year-round When trout are feeding on mayfly or stonefly nymphs, particularly in deeper water. **Pro Tips**: The gold tinsel body of this fly is highly visible in various water conditions. As a nymph, it is intended to sink, and the tungsten bead head helps it get down quickly.",
  "overview": "Barr's Tungstone is a heavy-duty nymph built to get deep fast, ideal for swift water and deep pools. With a tungsten bead and slim profile, it sinks quickly while still maintaining a buggy silhouette—making it a reliable go-to in high water or fast current conditions."
}