When the stoneflies are hatching though the trout are keyed into this splashy landing and know that it means dinner is served. If you don't get a strike immediately, allow the fly to drift drag-free downstream a bit and then make it skitter and dance a bit on the surface. The stoneflies move about actively on the surface and this can attract a trout's attention as well. Because the stoneflies move and dance about so much on the water the trout slash and swipe at them. Keep this in mind when you fish this hatch because the strikes are often violent.
Stoneflies offer some very exciting fishing on our freestone streams.
Check your local waters to note the size, shape, and colour of the naturals, then tie some imitations up and give them a try. It's a great hatch. Bill Luscombe has been hunting and fishing for most of his 43 years. He has been flyfishing for 23 years. He instructs flyfishing, and has done so for the past 14 years.