Stonefly dry
Golden Stonefly Dry
TroutSurface
A large, durable stonefly dry for alpine streams where Plecoptera are a primary food. Not golden — the large Perlidae are dark brown — but high-visibility elk-wing patterns work because the fish are not inspecting the fly, they are reacting to something large landing in their feeding lane. The strike is fast and not always telegraphed.
Fish this when
Late spring and early summer in alpine pocket water when large stoneflies are present. Cast to the foam lines and eddy edges. Don't hesitate when the fish rises — they hook themselves on these patterns and unhook themselves if you wait.
Naturals it imitates
Perlidae
large Plecoptera adult
Typical zone & fishable range
usually
Surface
Film
Subsurface
Deep
Setup sensitivity: low
Included in packs
Stonefly & caddis dries