nymph
Rowley Stone
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.
Originated by Gilbert Rowley
Recipe
- HookDai-Riki 135 size 6 OR Hanak 230 BL size 8 · Dai-Riki
- BeadGold Brass or Gold Tungsten
- ThreadUTC 140 — Black · Danville
- TailBlack Goose Biots
- AbdomenNet Back Foil — Dark Brown
- Rib3X tippet
- ThoraxSimi Seal — Bronze Peacock
- LegsBlack Krystal Flash + Black Turkey Flats
- CollarWapsi Sow Scud Dubbing — Bighorn Orange
History
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.
Fishing tips
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.