Montana Stonefly
The Montana Stonefly Nymph is a classic pattern developed by New York fly tyer Lew Oatman during the 1950s. It was designed to imitate large, dark stonefly nymphs but also works well as a general attractor when searching unfamiliar water. The fly is commonly dead-drifted near the bottom through riffles, deep runs, and pocket water, where natural stoneflies spend most of their lives. Heavily weighted versions can serve as the lead fly in a multi-nymph rig and help carry smaller patterns into the feeding zone. The Montana can also be swung or retrieved like a small streamer. It is typically tied in sizes 6 through 12, and the main tying considerations are adding enough weight, maintaining an even body, and keeping the hackle mobile without making the pattern overly bulky.
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Recipe
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Hook · nymph 3X sizes 6 - 14
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Thread · black
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Tail · black hackle fibers
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Body · black chenille
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Wingcase · black chenille
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Thorax · yellow chenille
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Hackle · black hackle palmered over thorax (under wingcase)