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.
Related patterns
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.
Where to fish it
Rivers anglers pair with this fly, with local shops that stock it.
River details and fly shops from River & Run, our sister site.
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
- insect
- Life stage
- adult
Pattern details
- Moving Water
- Rocky Mountain
- dead-drift
- stonefly-hatch
- attractor
- searching-pattern
- low-clear-water
- freestone