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 Stonefly Nymph 5 Black – Barbless (#16)
The Micro-Shadow Drifter – Small Winter Stone Specialist The J:son Stonefly Nymph 5 Black Barbless in size #16 is the smallest black nymph in the range, measuring just 13 mm. This is the standard (unweighted) version, featuring a premium barbless hook. It is designed for ultra-technical finesse fishing when fish are feeding on tiny "Needle Flies" in clear, slow-moving water.
Why this fly works:
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The Ultimate Natural Drift: Without the weight of tungsten, this 13 mm nymph possesses near-neutral buoyancy. It tumbles and rolls through the water column exactly like a tiny, real insect that has lost its footing, making it impossible for wary fish to distinguish from the real thing.
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Cold Weather Essential: Small black stoneflies (Capniidae) are often the only insects active during the late winter and early spring. This #16 black silhouette is the perfect biological match for these "Winter Stones," making it a deadly choice for early-season sessions.
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Safety for Wild Fish: The small barbless hook is designed for delicate presentations on fine tippets. It offers superior penetration and allows for a rapid, stress-free release—essential for protecting wild trout and grayling in high-pressure waters.
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Hyper-Realistic Detail: Even at 13 mm, J:son’s legendary realism is preserved. The flexible legs and segmented body create micro-vibrations that signal a "live" meal to predatory fish, providing a tactile advantage that stiff, traditional flies lack.
Pro Tip: This is a world-class fly for "Dry-Dropper" setups in low-water conditions. Because it is unweighted and tiny, it can be fished under even the smallest CDC dry flies without pulling them under. It’s also an excellent choice for fishing "the film" in slow glides; grease your leader to within a few inches of the fly and let it drift just subsurface where nymphs migrate to the shore.