A stonefly nymph built with a wrapped latex abdomen, paired biot tails and a dubbed thorax.
Latex Stone is a descriptive stonefly family in the source index. This brown starting dressing follows a separately published latex stonefly recipe; it is not presented as the proprietary dressing behind the index photo.
Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.
01
Set the biot tails
Cover the hook shank with fiery-brown thread. Tie one goose biot on each side of the bend with the tips splayed back and slightly outward.
Bench note Keep the tails similar in length and opposite in angle.
02
Wrap a latex abdomen
Secure a narrow brown latex strip at the tail base. Wind it forward in overlapping turns over the rear part of the shank, stretching evenly to show a segmented, tapered abdomen.
Bench note Stop with enough room for a distinct thorax and head.
03
Anchor legs and shellback
Tie short golden-pheasant fibers on each side of the open thorax area as legs. Secure a second nymph-skin strip on top at the abdomen front, with its free length pointing rearward.
Bench note Keep the fibers outside the shellback tie-in point.
04
Dub the thorax
Wind fiery-brown dubbing over the front of the hook to build a fuller thorax. Keep the side legs free and leave a small thread-head space behind the eye.
Bench note The thorax should be fuller than the latex abdomen.
05
Close and finish
Draw the nymph-skin strip forward over the thorax as a narrow shellback, secure and trim it. Whip finish a compact head and clear the hook eye.
Bench note Center the latex cover before tightening the final wraps.
Beyond the bench
On the water.
Fish the nymph low in suitable stonefly water and adjust the rig to maintain a useful drift. The latex body is a visual material choice, not a claim of an exact local insect match.
