Rowley Stone
A net-back-foil stonefly with sculpin-olive sow-scud collar.
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Rowley Stone
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About This Pattern
A large stonefly nymph with Black Goose biot tail, dark brown Net Back foil abdomen, Semi Seal bronze-peacock dubbing, Krystal Flash and turkey-flat legs, and a Bighorn Orange sow-scud collar.
On the Water
How to Fish It
Tie both the tungsten and the brass-bead versions — one as an anchor, one for slower water. Net Back foil is the heart of the pattern.
When to Use
Stonefly water — pre-hatch, during hatches, and all season where stones exist.
History & Lore
Gilbert Rowley developed and tested the Rowley Stone on small streams in his home state of Utah. It took a couple of years to fine-tune the materials, but since then he has fished it across the Western US with great success. Anytime large stoneflies are in the river system, the Rowley Stone is his go-to. The key material is the Net Back foil, which gives the fly a beautiful segmented look that plain dubbing can't match. Gilbert carries the pattern in both the dark and golden versions, and tied with both heavy tungsten and lighter brass beads so he can adjust to water depth and speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Rowley Stone should I use?
The Rowley Stone is most commonly tied in sizes 6–10. Stonefly water — pre-hatch, during hatches, and all season where stones exist.
What does a Rowley Stone imitate?
The Rowley Stone primarily imitates stonefly nymph, golden stone, salmonfly. Tie both the tungsten and the brass-bead versions — one as an anchor, one for slower water. Net Back foil is the heart of the pattern.
How do you fish a Rowley Stone?
Tie both the tungsten and the brass-bead versions — one as an anchor, one for slower water. Net Back foil is the heart of the pattern.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Nymphs
- Sizes
- 6–10
- Hook Styles
- standard nymph
- Imitates
- stonefly nymph, golden stone, salmonfly
- Water Types
- freestone, pocket water
- Origin
- Gilbert Rowley
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catches logged by anglers
Pattern Details
- Category
- Nymphs
- Sizes
- 6–10
- Hook Styles
- standard nymph
- Imitates
- stonefly nymph, golden stone, salmonfly
- Water Types
- freestone, pocket water
- Origin
- Gilbert Rowley