Hatch Guide · Plecoptera

Stonefly

Stonefly hatches range from the tiny early-black stoneflies of February to the giant salmonflies of Western rivers in June.

Peak months: MayJune · nowJuly

Top fly patterns

Affiliate disclosure — links go through our /go/ redirector.

Month-by-month activity

Number of rivers where the Stonefly hatch is active each month.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
3 rivers
May
21 rivers
Jun ●
16 rivers
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Rivers where Stonefly hatches

Westfield River Active now
Massachusetts Active: May, Jun
Wild trout freestone river in the Berkshires. West Branch holds native brookies in upper reaches. St…
Ausable River Active now
New York Active: May, Jun
Classic Adirondack freestone river with wild brookies in upper reaches and browns and rainbows in th…
Gallatin River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
Classic freestone river paralleling Highway 191 through the canyon south of Bozeman. Wild fish in th…
Madison River
Montana Active: Apr, May
One of Montana's legendary Blue Ribbon rivers. PMD, caddis, and salmonfly hatches make June and July…
Blackfoot River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
Immortalized by Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It. Recovered wild fishery with strong stonefl…
Big Hole River
Montana Active: Apr, May
One of the last wild arctic grayling rivers in the lower 48. Blue Ribbon trout water with massive sa…
Yellowstone River
Montana Active: Apr, May
The longest free-flowing river in the lower 48. Paradise Valley section near Livingston is prime Blu…
Bitterroot River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
Scenic freestone river in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Nati…
Clark Fork River Active now
Montana Active: May, Jun
Recovering river through Missoula and western Montana. Bull trout present — handle with care. Good c…
Snake River Active now
Wyoming Active: May, Jun
Pure wild Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout in a spectacular Teton backdrop. Float-fishing th…
Arkansas River Active now
Colorado Active: May, Jun
Gold Medal freestone river through the Arkansas Valley. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Wade fishing be…
Roaring Fork River Active now
Colorado Active: May, Jun
Gold Medal freestone and tailwater water through Aspen and down to Glenwood Springs. Strong PMD, cad…
Cache la Poudre River Active now
Colorado Active: May, Jun
Colorado's only federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Freestone character through Poudre Canyo…
Salmon River Active now
Idaho Active: May, Jun
The River of No Return — a wilderness canyon river through central Idaho. Wild steelhead and chinook…
Deschutes River Active now
Oregon Active: May, Jun
Oregon's crown jewel. Wild redsides and summer steelhead in a dramatic canyon. Salmonfly hatch in la…
Rogue River Active now
Oregon Active: May, Jun
Wild and Scenic River with famous steelhead and salmon runs. Spring Chinook and summer steelhead att…
McKenzie River Active now
Oregon Active: May, Jun
Home of the McKenzie River drift boat design. Gin-clear spring-fed water with wild rainbows. Skwala …
Metolius River Active now
Oregon Active: May, Jun
Spring-fed river emerging fully formed from the base of Black Butte. Catch-and-release artificial on…
Yakima River Active now
Washington Active: May, Jun
Washington's premier trout river — Blue Ribbon water through the canyon below Cle Elum. Skwala hatch…
Au Sable River
Michigan Active: May
Michigan's most famous trout river — spring-fed, clear water through northern Michigan pines. The He…
Pere Marquette River
Michigan Active: May
Blue Ribbon wild trout and steelhead river through northern Michigan. Spring steelhead and fall chin…

How to fish the Stonefly

Fish a Pat's Rubber Legs or heavy stonefly nymph close to the bottom in fast water. Adult hatch: a size 4–10 Stimulator pounded near the bank.

Frequently asked

When does the Stonefly hatch?

Peak emergence: May, June, July. Timing varies by elevation, latitude, and water temperature.

What flies match the Stonefly hatch?

Top patterns: Stimulator (size 10-14); Stonefly Nymph (Pat's Rubber Legs) (size 6-12).

What rivers have a good Stonefly hatch?

Stonefly hatches are documented on 21 rivers including: Westfield River, Ausable River, Gallatin River, Madison River, Blackfoot River and 16 more.

How do I fish the Stonefly hatch?

Fish a Pat's Rubber Legs or heavy stonefly nymph close to the bottom in fast water. Adult hatch: a size 4–10 Stimulator pounded near the bank.

What is the Stonefly?

Stonefly hatches range from the tiny early-black stoneflies of February to the giant salmonflies of Western rivers in June. Family: Plecoptera.

Related

Fly recommender · All hatches · All fly patterns · All rivers