Red Headed Step Child

Rock Creek was always one of the top spots for me to fish each spring during the salmonfly hatch. The surrounding willows come alive with the giant stonefly and the trout gorge themselves. The hatch also coincides with runoff and the water is churning. I started tying very heavily weighted stones to get down deep in the turbulent water along the brush and current seams. I went through several variations of upscaled Prince Nymps, but for some reason this one with the read bead just stuck. This thing sinks like a stone with a heavy tungsten bead up front and about 16 wraps of .020 lead free under the body. I would often fish this pattern in sizes 4-8 and back here in Michigan its a great stonefly nymph for Salmon, Steelhead and resident trout.

Hook:    TMC 200R #4-12
Bead:    Red Tungsten
Weight: Optional, .020 lead free wire
Tail:       Black Round Rubber
Body:    Peacock Herl
Rib:       Red Ultra Wire
Hackle: Brown Saddle swept back
Antena: White Round Rubber
Colar:   Peacock Herl