Dry FliesSummer Stone
The Summer Stone is a comprehensive stonefly pattern available in four color variations to match the diverse summer stonefly species. The foam head, Ice Dub body, and rubber legs create a realistic adult stonefly profile with excellent floatation. The UV orange indicator post makes tracking easy in broken water. Available in Olive, Yellow, Black, and Purple variants.
Summer
Advanced
Trout
Dec 2025
Overview
The Summer Stone was developed at Blue Ribbon Flies to cover the range of summer stonefly species found on western waters. The four color variations match Yellow Sallies, olive stones, black stones, and attractor purple tones. The UV orange indicator post is positioned to be visible to the angler but hidden from fish viewing from below.
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 100 or Umpqua XT050 Stubby T, #12-14
Thread: Uni-Thread, 8/0, light olive (olive) or matching color
Egg Sac: EP Fibers or Widow's Web, black (olive/black/purple) or red (yellow)
Body: Ice Dub, golden brown (olive), UV light yellow (yellow), UV black (black), or UV purple (purple)
Wing: Stimulator Deer Hair, olive (olive), natural (yellow), or black (black/purple)
Indicator: EP Trigger Point Fibers, UV orange
Legs: Grizzly Micro Legs, root beer (olive/yellow) or Round Rubber Legs, black (black/purple)
Head: Fly Foam, 2mm, cinnamon (olive/yellow) or black (black/purple)
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Adult stoneflies crash clumsily onto water during egg-laying flights, often bouncing and fluttering before settling. Their large size creates visible disturbances.
Where Trout Eat It: Fish attack stoneflies in riffles, near banks where females deposit eggs, and through pocket water where adults crash-land.
How to Fish It: Dead drift near banks and through riffles with occasional twitches to mimic egg-laying movement. The rubber legs add action.
Best Water: Focus on riffle edges near banks, pocket water with structure, bank edges beneath overhanging vegetation, and foam lines.
Strike Type: Watch for explosive rises or aggressive strikes as fish target these large, protein-rich insects.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Fish on 9-12 foot leader with 4X tippet. The foam head provides excellent floatation to support heavy dropper nymphs. Heavier tippet handles the larger hook.
Seasonal Timing: Most effective from June through August during stonefly activity. Yellow and olive versions for Yellow Sallies and golden stones; black and purple for attractor fishing.
Pro Tips: The UV orange indicator provides exceptional visibility in all conditions. Foam head construction ensures unsinkable floatation.
Entomology
Adult stoneflies flutter clumsily across the water surface during egg-laying flights, often crashing down and creating attention-grabbing splashes that echo across summer riffles. Fish eagerly pursue these bulky insects because they represent one of the largest and most nutritious food items available during warm-weather months.
- Order
- Plecoptera
- Common Name
- Stonefly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- adult