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: Because they are poor swimmers, they often tumble along the bottom or drift downstream when searching for new habitats, making them an easy meal.
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The Crawlers: Unlike mayflies, stoneflies don't swim to the surface to hatch—they crawl to the shore. This means they spend their entire life cycle close to the riverbed.
J:son Stonefly Nymph 5 Black (#16)
The Technical "Needle Fly" – Leuctra and Capnia Imitator The J:son Stonefly Nymph 5 Black in size #16 is the most delicate model in the range, featuring a compact 12 mm profile. This ultra-realistic fly is the definitive match for the smallest dark stoneflies, commonly known as Needle Flies or Snowflies, belonging to families such as Leuctridae (e.g., Leuctra nigra) and Capniidae.
Why this fly works:
- Biological Accuracy: Small black stoneflies are often the very first insects to become active in late winter and early spring (even while snow is on the banks). At 12 mm, this nymph perfectly mimics these early-season colonizers that trout rely on when other food is scarce.
- Anatomical Mastery: Despite being the smallest size (S5), it retains J:son’s industry-leading realism. It features the signature slender, segmented body and fine, flexible legs that provide subtle, lifelike micro-movements in the water.
- Stealth for Selective Fish: On a #16 hook, this nymph offers a tiny, non-threatening silhouette. It is a "secret weapon" for highly pressured rivers and clear-water conditions where fish are wary of larger, bulkier imitations.
- Soft-Body Technology: Built with J:son’s specialized flexible materials, the fly has a natural "give." When a fish takes this tiny morsel, it feels organic, leading to more confident takes and a significantly higher hook-up rate on subtle strikes.
Pro Tip: This is your go-to nymph for "technical" winter and spring fishing. Fish it on a fine leader in the film or just along the bottom in slower runs. It is exceptionally effective for large, selective grayling and wild trout that are keying in on small, dark drift organisms.