Dry FliesRogue Stone Salmonfly
The Rogue Stone Salmonfly is a foam-bodied stonefly imitation designed for the legendary salmonfly hatches of Western rivers. This pattern features an orange foam body for unsinkable buoyancy, krystal flash for subtle attraction, innovative 3M Transpore surgical tape wings with moose body hair overwings, a spun deer hair head using Varner Big Bug Hair, and brown/black rubber legs for lifelike movement. The construction creates a durable, highly visible pattern that floats high even in the roughest water.
Spring, Summer
Advanced
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents a modern approach to salmonfly imitation that prioritizes durability and flotation. The pattern uses multiple threads for different purposes - the UTC 70 for general tying, the Nanosilk for fine work, and the heavier Monocord for spinning deer hair. The 3M Transpore surgical tape creates a unique wing material that mimics the veined, translucent wings of natural stoneflies while being extremely durable and water-resistant. The moose body hair overwing adds a natural profile and helps the wings lay properly. The Varner Big Bug Hair is specifically designed for spinning large deer hair heads - it has the hollow structure needed for flaring while maintaining the stiffness to hold shape after trimming. The orange foam body provides the buoyancy needed to keep this large fly floating in fast water.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 200R, #4-6
Thread: UTC 70D, fluorescent fire orange
Thread 2: Nanosilk 30D (Semperfli), burnt orange
Thread 3: Monocord 3/0 (Danville), burnt orange
Body: Thin Fly Foam (3mm), orange
Flash: Krystal Flash, orange
Wing: 3M Transpore Surgical Tape
Overwing: Moose Body Hair
Head: Big Bug Deer Hair (Varner), natural
Legs: Rubber Legs (round), brown/black
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring and early summer salmonfly hatches, typically May through July depending on location. Time your fishing to coincide with peak emergence for best results.
Presentation
Fish with a dead drift along foam lines, seams, and near banks where stoneflies fall into the water. Add occasional twitches to simulate struggling insects - salmonflies are notoriously clumsy and trout expect movement.
When to Use
Select this pattern during salmonfly hatches on Western rivers like the Deschutes, Madison, and other prime stonefly waters. Also effective as a hopper-dropper anchor fly when large stoneflies are in the area, even outside peak hatch times.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly larger freestone rivers with strong currents and rocky bottoms where salmonflies thrive. The foam construction handles rough water that would sink other dry flies.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader tapering to 2X-3X tippet - you need the strength to turn over this large, wind-resistant fly and to handle the aggressive strikes it often produces. Can be fished alone or as the dry fly in a hopper-dropper rig.
Visibility & Floatation
The orange foam body provides excellent visibility for the angler while the spun deer hair head adds additional flotation. This pattern is designed to float high and remain visible even in fast, choppy water.
