Little Brown Stone Adult

Uses

Imitates the adult stage of the small brown stonefly group. This group is most important in winter and early spring. Adults hatch in the air, like most stoneflies, so they are not available to trout at the time of emergence. However, they linger in the shoreside vegetation and often drop onto the river, either by accident or to lay eggs. Therefore, most of the action is close to shore.

 
This is not a prolific hatch, and it is often missed by anglers. However, it is seldom missed by trout, who seem to relish the brown stones and regard them a welcome variation from a monotonous winter diet of blue-winged olives and midges.

 
This pattern is tyed in the same manner as an Elk Hair Caddis.

Variations

Many of the "brown" stone adults are actually black. A black version is tied with black thread, black body dubbing, a black-dyed wing, and black hackle

How to Fish

Dress the fly with floatant and use standard dry fly presentations near the river bank.