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Step by Step - Tying the Foam Stone Fly Pattern

Fly Assistant Step by Step Feature for Fly Patterns Fly Assistant Step by Step Feature

Sometimes it's nice, especially on a fly pattern that's a little tricky to be able to record the steps in took to tie for future reference. The Stone Fly Pattern below was one of those I needed to record for use later. It was at that point I went to work building a feature into the Fly Assistant that would allow you to enter the steps, with pictures.

Give this fly pattern a try, Paul did a great job of creating a fly that floats well and gets the fish.

Group picture of fly patterns

Foam Stone Fly Pattern

Tier Don Stracener, Originator Paul Whillock.

Originally tied in Fly Tyer Magazine I have made a few changes. I tie this one in Yellow, Orange, Black and Brown. The flies shown are about 30mm, but I tie the orange in 45mm for the hatches here on the Rogue River.

Step 1.  Cut a strip of 2mm craft foam into 5mm wide pieces. Strip a pair of Saddle Hackles leaving the stems.
Cutting the foam Step 2. 

 Cut a piece of the 5mm strip about 2 ½ - 3 inches long. Fold the foam over and trim the corners.
Tying in saddle hackle Step 3. 

Put the saddle hackles in the foam, one out either side. Wrap the thread 3 turns at the end of the foam, adjust to the way you want it to look, I use 2-3 mm.
Thread being put into the foam Step 4. 

Slide the thread inside the foam and advance forward and wrap again. Do this to form the sections of the abdomen.
Inserting the hook used for the fly pattern Step 5. 

Insert the size 6-8 hook in the center of the foam. The size hook will depend on the size of fly you want. I used the Dai-Riki #075 Size 8, a 2X, 1X short hook. The shank is about 15mm long and the abdomen is about 15mm
Securing the foam to the hook Step 6. 

Secure the foam to the hook and adjust the Hackle stems to form the antenna .
Tie in the legs to the hook Step 7. 

Tie in legs using an X tie in. The legs are made from the bristles of a small brush, Japanese Nymph legs can be used. I cut the leg to a length of about 30mm.
Adding superglue to the fly pattern Step 8. 

After ting in the legs I like to use some Zap A Gap to secure them.
Dubbing the fly pattern Step 9. 

After the glue has dried use yellow dry fly dubbing and form the thorax of the fly.
Adding wing material Step 10.

 Select your favorite wing material cut into a 4-5 mm strip trim the head end and tie in.
Adding some color to the fly pattern Step 11. 

Use a black or dark brown marker and put some markings on the fly. Not necessary for fishing but it looks good for the fisherman! I put marks on the top and bottom.

Paul likes to smear the thorax after marking it. I like this way, do whatever you want cause the fish can't see it!
Tying off the fly Step 12. 

Align the wing, put a small amount of dubbing on the thread, advance to just behind the second legs and tie in the wing, whip finish and tie off. Trip the back end of the wing to the right length and trim the corners a little. Trim the hackle to form the tails and antenna.
Bending the legs of the fly Step 13.

Heat bodkin or large needle but not too hot, and don’t burn yourself. If the bodkin is too hot you will melt the legs in half. All you have to do is just touch the legs.
Looking at the angles of the legs Step 14. 

See pictures for the angles I used or do your own. Try to make the legs look like the bug.
Coloring the top of the fly pattern Step 15.

 Color the legs with a yellow maker do the top and bottom.
Finishing the coloring Step 16. 

Use a brown or black marker and add detail to the joints of the legs.
The finished Yellow Stone Fly Pattern Step 17.

 Look at your yellow stone!

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