Description
Stonefly Nymphs – The Year-Round Secret
Why Stonefly Nymphs are a must-have:
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Protein Power: These nutrient-rich nymphs are a primary food source for trout and grayling all year long.
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Easy Targets: As poor swimmers, they often lose their grip and drift downstream, becoming an effortless "snack" for waiting fish.
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Bottom Dwellers: Unlike many insects, they don't swim to the surface to hatch; they crawl to the shore. This keeps them in the "strike zone" near the riverbed for their entire life cycle.
J:son Tungsten Stonefly Nymph 5 Olive Brown – Barbless (#16)
The Micro-Stealth Heavyweight – Nemouridae Specialist The J:son Tungsten Stonefly Nymph 5 Olive Brown Barbless in size #16 is a highly specialized 13 mm imitation. It combines the heavy-sinking properties of an integrated tungsten core with the natural, camouflaged tones of the smallest stonefly species. This is the ultimate "finesse" nymph for deep, clear water.
Why this fly works:
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Maximum Stealth at Depth: The tungsten weight allows this tiny 13 mm nymph to reach the bottom without the need for bulky split shot. Because the color is Olive Brown, it doesn't create a startling flash, allowing it to "appear" naturally in front of a fish's nose at the riverbed.
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Masterful Color Accuracy: This earthy, olive-brown shade perfectly mimics the Small Brown Stoneflies (Nemouridae) that populate rocky mountain streams and cold northern rivers. It is the ideal choice when fish are being selective and "bright" or "jet black" flies are being ignored.
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Ethical Micro-Hooking: The premium barbless hook is designed to provide instant penetration even with the lightest hook-sets on fine tippets. It ensures a quick and safe release, which is essential when targeting wild, native fish in technical waters.
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Lifelike Fluidity: Despite its small size, J:son’s signature flexible legs and segmented body offer realistic micro-vibrations. This anatomical movement is crucial in size #16, as it helps the fish distinguish the fly from inorganic debris rolling along the bottom.
Pro Tip: This is a fantastic "trailing" nymph for a "Two-Nymph Rig." Pair it with a larger stonefly or caddis nymph as the anchor, and let this #16 Olive Brown version drift 40–50 cm behind it. It is also an excellent choice for fishing "the film" on a long leader when small nymphs are migrating through slow glides toward the shoreline to crawl out and hatch.