Everybody Must Fish Stones

Everybody Must Fish Stones

Most people have a fly-fishing wish list of places they want to fish.

“I hope to go to Alaska or New Zealand or the pristine saltwater flats–maybe venture into the jungle of South America…” After all, the jungle might really be the true last frontier of fly fishing.

That’s all great.

But the fly-world also revolves around insect hatches, which are a little harder to pin down, since those hatches depend on a number of factors–not just place, but also things like the prevailing weather and water conditions, and more (check out how onWater is solving this “hatch timing” problem).

When it all comes together, when you find yourself standing in the right spot on the river, and the fish start slurping off the surface with reckless abandon as the bugs (the non-biting type) start swarming, that’s about as good as it gets.

And the mother of all hatches might just be a stonefly or salmonfly hatch. I know, there are many contenders for the “hatch of the year” title, from Drakes to Hexes, caddis to hopper-pa-looza. But stoneflies make me drool myself.

Big insects. Found throughout the country, particularly in spots out West like the Deschutes, Rock Creek, Upper Colorado etc. In many drainages, the hatch already happened, or is happening now.

When fishing stonefly patterns, you see big, gaudy bugs floating on the river surface. What trout see is an all-you-can-eat buffet of Philly cheesesteaks, buckets of fried chicken, racks of BBQ ribs…

A stonefly hatch is a “make you feel young again” hatch, because even someone who’s fished for years will see the river come alive with fish crashing and thrashing, and they’ll get the same sense of giddy excitement that they got when they lit their first brick of firecrackers.

For the newbie angler, the stonefly hatch is when you can put aside all those intimidating dry-fly lessons about long leaders, light tippets, perfect drifts and difficult hook-sets. Just fish. Go have fun.

I, for one, think the stonefly hatch is more than a natural occurrence. It’s a cultural event. And as such, much like the opening of deer season prompts many schools and businesses to take a pause, I think anyone who has a place in mind and a solid hunch that the stonefly hatch will be on should be excused from daily obligations and given a pass to go fishing.

If that doesn’t work, call in sick, and go anyway.

I won’t tell. – Kirk Deeter

More stonefly tips: Stonefly Hooksets and  “avoiding the heart of the hatch.”

Interview: Stu Tripney

“When I came to New Zealand, I thought I was pretty good, but I had to climb back down to the bottom rung of the ladder. At first, I was blaming the tippet. I was sleeping in my car, not hooking many fish. Even if I hooked them, I wasn’t landing many. I’d take the tippet back to the shop and say, ‘This tippet keeps breaking. It’s crap.’ I’d change it out, but eventually realized it was me, not the tippet. These fish are so powerful and bigger than they look. That first run I was breaking them all off. I realized my casting had to be spot on for the best success–the perfect placement for that fish, you know what I mean? And you only get that one cast–you want to get it right.

It reminds me of the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell–about the power of our intuition and subconscious thinking. I remember they put a knock-off vase in some New York museum and their expert said it was authentic, but as soon as they showed it to some real specialists (with photos), they knew in a split second it was fake. Good fishing guides are the same–they’re processing so much data and information about the fish in the blink of an eye.”

Read the entire interview.

Product Buzz

We review the YETI Flask: “In the world of hot and cold thermos technology, you typically get what you pay for when it comes to products that can perform, take physical abuse and last.” Simms Fishing Products has announced the release of their all-new Flyweight Packable Waders ($380). They’re described as the “lightest, most packable wader Simms has ever built.” More about the Simms Flyweight Waders. Outside reviews the summer’s best six coolers: “A massive amount of insulation won’t do you any good if the clasps don’t seal it closed, and spaciousness doesn’t matter if you can’t find things or carry it. After months of testing, here are our six favorite coolers for car campers, vanlifers, and beach bums.” From Field Mag: The Ten Best Hiking Sandals for Women. “One of the primary benefits of sandals is comfort out of the box since there are less spots to rub and restrict, so we primarily looked for durability and hot spots…” GearJunkie reviews the new Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse Waders and the Best Fishing Sunglasses of 2025: “Are you looking to channel your inner Bill Dance? If so, the Costa Grand Catalina (starting @ $225) will take you right back to Saturday mornings watching the legend himself flip for bass…” From Flylab founder Kirk Deeter: Are fast-action rods covering up flaws in your fly casting? How To Kit Out A Fat Bike For Fly Fishing: “Before you chalk this up to a mid-life gear bender, I’ve turned a few pedals over the years. I’ve logged my share of roadie kilometres, eaten my weight in aid station muffins and spent well over a decade working on mountain bike events…”

Fly-fishing News

Check out our new Angling Trade coverage on Flylab: For the past 20 years, Angling Trade has been an independent media brand, covering the business of fly fishing in North America. From The Flyfish Journal: Micro-bragging rights for the smallest bass of the summer and Smolt of the Month. Yes, boating season is here: River Etiquette While Fishing From a Boat. “A lot of people, once on the river, aren’t there to get their ears talked off. If someone is being quiet, anchored fishing dries, perhaps a little wave is all that’s needed as you float by.” From Hatch: The Beasts of the Bighorn. “If you fish the Bighorn in the summer, chances are you’ll have some high-quality dry-fly fishing on your hands. The river’s lowland location on the cusp of the Great Plains makes it a terrestrial-bug river–think big Chernobyls and hopper patterns.” From Skwala: The Belizean Flats Protection Story You Probably Missed. “The BFFA and local guides didn’t rest on that temporary, procedural halt. They harnessed the momentum, hosting a protest on Will Bauer Flat that garnered national media attention and getting the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust to send a letter to the Belizean government…” Fly-fishing Guide Lincoln Powers: “The three topics we come back to with our clients most often are line management, understanding hydrology and fly presentation…” Idaho’s Kelly Creek by Jeff Erickson: “Hardcore cutthroat bums roaming Western backroads with their fly rods, waders and extra gas tanks know the marquee water, like teenagers with nose rings and spiky hair eagerly touting their favorite punk bands…”

Recent Press

“I’m a big fan of Flylab and the deep-dive content you guys are putting out. Keep it coming.” – David, Flylab Fan

“Instead of writing ‘GTFO,’ SAY IT. GET THE FUCK OUT!!! Too many times influential folks like writers, or other advocates don’t look at past antagonists who fought for a cause of considerable national importance and take on the sacrifices and exposure they created to change things!! Get dirty, get mean, get MAD.” – Doulgas, Concerned Public Lands Advocate

Doulgas, you’ll be the first call we make on the Batphone when the zombie apocalypse breaks.

“Our public lands are a finite and irreplaceable national treasure that should be unavailable at any price. While it’s good to see that sanity prevailed, this is a long-term fight that will require eternal vigilance to ensure no backsliding.” – Filthy McNasty

“Loved the op-ed on public lands. What’s the best way to support orgs involved in the fight?” – Monte, Flylab Fan

If you’re interested in taking public lands action: make your voice heard.

We’re always looking for Flylab feedback–send any comments, thoughts, suggestions, and we’d love to hear from you.

Why Bright Flies Are Effective

For the fly angler, particularly beginners and intermediates, getting to see fish interest and activity (and observing their behavior in the process) is one of the key ways to accelerate your learning curve. How fish are interacting with your flies is often the most critical information to gather on a fishing trip and one of the most overlooked. It can provide a ton of feedback about where fish live, their “activity” levels and how they gather prey. You’re trying to unlock a complex and continually evolving puzzle and every new piece of information brings the picture into clearer focus.

Read the entire story.

Partner Spotlight

LandTrust

LandTrust is the best way to access and experience outdoor recreation on private land. Considered to be the “Airbnb” of private land access, LandTrust is a powerful tool to discover and book exclusive access on private lands for your next outdoor experience. Whether it’s fly fishing, hunting, camping or RV-ing, LandTrust can help you find your next adventure away from the crowds and wherever your adventure leads you.

Flylab discount: 15% off your first booking.

If you’re a fly shop, outfitter, fishing lodge or outdoor brand and interested in becoming a new Flylab partner, learn more about our program here. Join the best partner network in fly fishing.

From filmmaker Rolf Nylinder: Rewilding Sweden. “Over the past ten years, I’ve wandered the forests of the Swedish Taiga with a fishing rod in hand and a camera by my side.”