mr.crappie
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stoneflies
We were watching a major stonefly hatch to-day at Twin lakes. Although we were catching some trout & gills & a nice perch I didn't see a trout take a fly on top, maybe they were taking them sub surface ? Also we saw 3 snapping turtles the past 2 days which seems very early to me. Nice day to be out & there were more out than usual. sam
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/26 19:34:55
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If they were little black stones, I’ve never seen any fish ever eat one.
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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mr.crappie
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/26 21:32:04
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DarDys, These looked to about 1/4-1/2" sam
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 05:40:31
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The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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BeenThereDoneThat.
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 09:10:44
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Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~  Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 10:16:37
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The link will not open on my phone, says server can’t be found.
In the west, stoneflies, sometimes referred to as sofa pillows, are a huge staple for trout. In the east, especially Pennsyltucky, not so much, particularly the little blacks.
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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JM2
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 12:13:28
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DarDys
The link will not open on my phone, says server can’t be found.
In the west, stoneflies, sometimes referred to as sofa pillows, are a huge staple for trout. In the east, especially Pennsyltucky, not so much, particularly the little blacks.
I've never heard of a stonefly referred to as a sofa pillow, but there is a fly pattern called "Sofa Pillow", which is used to imitate larger stoneflies, and especially salmon flies.
post edited by JM2 - 2018/02/27 14:42:04
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 12:50:07
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Correct, it is the fly pattern.
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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Big Steve
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 13:10:27
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They were hatching in the Laurel Highlands this weekend. I couldn't begin the estimate numbers but only saw one surface feed and cannot attest that it was a stone fly. There were plenty of them around though.
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JM2
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 13:13:54
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You know for some reason, I typed the name wrong. Not once, but twice. The fly pattern is called Sofa Pillow, not Pillow Sofa.
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BeenThereDoneThat.
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 14:03:06
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DarDys
The link will not open on my phone, says server can’t be found.
Sorry Dardys, I have that problem too when trying to use links on my phone. I may have screwed the link up (imagine that  ) when I enlarged the print. I tried this one on my phone and it worked OK. http://www.west-fly-fishi...lies/88-black-stonefly
post edited by BeenThereDoneThat. - 2018/02/27 14:16:19
Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~ Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way.
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GilliganJR
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 14:45:26
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stoneflies dont find themselves ON the surface of the water too often. typically they are only there when they fall in or come down for a drink once 'hatched' and fall in. they're not like a mayfly that swims up and dries its wings on top then takes off. they crawl out. BUT, it is a fun time of year to finally see some bugs.
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 14:59:30
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Saw that, but no need to correct it since it was understood.
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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JM2
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 15:59:28
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GilliganJR
stoneflies dont find themselves ON the surface of the water too often. typically they are only there when they fall in or come down for a drink once 'hatched' and fall in. they're not like a mayfly that swims up and dries its wings on top then takes off. they crawl out. BUT, it is a fun time of year to finally see some bugs.
Female stoneflies will go over, and on the surface of the water to deposit their eggs
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 16:03:19
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I’m down by my creek now and they are crawling all over me.
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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mr.crappie
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 17:04:30
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Any thoughts on why the fish were not hitting them? Looked like easy pickings to me, also there were plenty of Trout & Gillls around & usually when I see these I do pretty well with both species of fish. sam
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 17:43:20
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No idea why they don’t. Kind of like bass not eating tadpoles.
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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Big Steve
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 18:07:10
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Wow, great stuff. Just bought some stuff to tie up some black stones but may forgo for more productive patterns.
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bingsbaits
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/27 21:50:34
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Those black stones work well on the Steelies and Brownies in the tribs..
Low and clear an 18 black stonefly will get the job done..
Was my go to fly for a couple of the "One Fly's".
"There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/28 05:54:52
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^^^ Since the tribs are pretty devoid of actual bug life, it is doubtful that those fish were keyed in on little black stones, especially since they don’t hatch in the fall, but rather fell for a good presentation of something small and it would not have mattered if it were a little black stone, hare’s ear, pheasant tail, Walt’s Worm, caddis roller, etc, Sometimes we get over thinking flies and fly patterns. As many guide friends of mine constantly harp, keep it simple — bigger, smaller, lighter, darker. BTW I though those One Fly fish were caught on Jerry’s super secret Triple Threat streamer pattern — LOL.
post edited by DarDys - 2018/02/28 05:56:33
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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bingsbaits
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/28 07:52:55
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I can't argue with that.. The only time I used the Triple Threat was the year Jerry and I won. Hmmmmmmm.
"There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/28 08:05:00
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And you broke a rod over it, if I recall correctly.
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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bingsbaits
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/28 08:51:11
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"There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
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DarDys
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/28 15:52:55
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Nonexistent foodstuffs are the norm for the tribs in Erie.
We fished the One Fly four times with one win and three seconds as a team and one win and never worse than third as individuals. They fly of choice for both of us was a size 16, tied on a size 14 wise gap cream delight glo bug. I’m pretty sure there weren’t a lot of egg laying fish providing an egg “hatch” for the steelhead to tune into, but rather just the presentation that went right on occasion.
The poster formally known as Duncsdad Everything I say can be fully substantiated by my own opinion.
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Pajay2
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/28 16:58:56
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Isn’t the Sofa Pillow fly just a Caddis Stimulator. I was told that a few years ago. Stimulators can be deadly at times.
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JM2
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/28 18:48:36
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☄ Helpfulby Patroller 2018/02/28 20:27:10
Patroller
Isn’t the Sofa Pillow fly just a Caddis Stimulator. I was told that a few years ago. Stimulators can be deadly at times.
The Stimulator is a different fly pattern that is very similar to a Sofa Pillow. I think they share some history. In smaller sizes either pattern should work as a caddis pattern. They both look similar to an Elk Hair Caddis, but with a few additions, such as a tail and a hackle near the head. http://stevenojai.tripod.com/stim.htm
post edited by JM2 - 2018/02/28 18:49:49
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Pajay2
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Re: stoneflies
2018/02/28 20:28:35
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JM2
Patroller
Isn’t the Sofa Pillow fly just a Caddis Stimulator. I was told that a few years ago. Stimulators can be deadly at times.
The Stimulator is a different fly pattern that is very similar to a Sofa Pillow. I think they share some history. In smaller sizes either pattern should work as a caddis pattern. They both look similar to an Elk Hair Caddis, but with a few additions, such as a tail and a hackle near the head.
http://stevenojai.tripod.com/stim.htm
Great to know. Thank you. Will be tying this weekend and I'll definitely throw a couple together.
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