Bodkin / Patterns

Estaz Stone

Nymph · Salmon/Steelhead · Trout · Steelhead · Salmon · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL-3XL curved nymph hook, #6-#10
  • Thread Black 6/0

Materials

  • Bead Black or gold bead (1 tungsten (optional))
  • Tail Brown/black material (2 goose biots, split)
  • Body Black/brown/golden material (Estaz or cactus chenille)
  • Legs Barred black rubber legs (1-2 pairs round rubber legs)
  • Wingcase Dark wingcase strip (Thin Skin or turkey slip (optional))

How to tie it

  1. Slide the bead to the eye if using one, mount the hook, and start thread at the bend.
  2. Tie in two biots splayed into a short forked tail.
  3. Bind in the Estaz at the bend and wrap it forward in touching turns to the 60% mark, brushing the fibers back as you go.
  4. Tie in a pair of rubber legs on each side at the thorax, splayed outward.
  5. Continue the Estaz forward through the leg base to just behind the bead and tie off, or pull a Thin Skin wingcase over the top and lock it down.
  6. Whip finish behind the bead and pick out the Estaz fibers to bulk up the buggy profile.
  7. Dead-drift or high-stick it along the bottom of fast freestone runs where stonefly nymphs crawl; the flashy chenille and waving legs draw eats in heavy water.

Tying videos

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