Euro NymphsRope-A-Dope Stone
The Rope-A-Dope Stone is a simplified stonefly pattern designed for fast tying and heavy use as a euro anchor fly. Since anchor flies are the most commonly lost flies due to snags, this pattern eliminates unnecessary steps while maintaining effectiveness. Created by Cheech at Fly Fish Food, it uses rabbit dread rope for the body and UV resin for the wingcase, making it quick to tie and durable in use.
Year Round
Beginner
Trout
Overview
The Rope-A-Dope Stone's genius lies in its simplified construction. The rabbit dread rope eliminates the need to dub your thread—simply wrap and go. The wingcase is created with colored UV resin applied directly over the thorax, cutting out multiple steps while creating a durable shell. This pattern is designed to be tied quickly so you can fill your box without investing hours at the vise, knowing many will be lost to rocks and snags.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Umpqua XC400BL-BN, size #12 (or Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook)
Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 8/0, dark mocha brown
Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten, gold, 3.8mm (5/32")
Legs: Grizzly Micro Legs, rootbeer
Body: Rabbit Dreads, light hare's ear
Rib: Midge Stretch Rib, olive brown
Thorax: Ice Dub, golden brown
Wing Case: Solarez Colored UV Resin, black
Finish: Solarez UV Cure Resin, thin hard
Fishing Tips
Season
Effective year-round, particularly productive during stonefly activity in spring and early summer. Works as a searching pattern anytime due to its buggy profile.
Presentation
Fish as the anchor (point) fly in euro rigs. The heavy tungsten bead gets the rig down quickly. Dead drift along the bottom through riffles, runs, and pocket water where stoneflies live.
When to Use
Deploy when you need to get deep fast or when fishing stonefly-rich water. Excellent in faster, deeper runs where lighter flies can't reach the bottom. Also effective in pocket water behind boulders.
Water Type
Designed for freestone streams and rivers with rocky substrate where stoneflies thrive. Excels in faster, deeper water that requires heavy anchor flies to reach the strike zone.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on 4X-5X fluorocarbon as the point fly in a multi-fly euro rig. Trail smaller nymphs 18-24 inches above. The heavy bead anchors the rig and maintains contact with the bottom.
Visibility & Floatation
The large tungsten bead provides maximum sink rate for an effective anchor fly. The golden brown coloration blends with natural stoneflies while the rootbeer legs add lifelike movement.
