Little Golden Stone

These critters hatch on the McKenzie, and most other Oregon rivers in late winter, from February to April. They are not the big golden stones (Acroneuria) that hatch later, in early summer.

Nymphs

(body length approx. 2.0 cm)

The Skwala nymphs are predators, feeding on the other aquatic beasties, and are fairly active. Because of this fact and that they, like most stoneflies like to live in faster, more oxygenated water, the nymphs can become available to trout quite frequently. They swim, or at least think they do, with a sort of hula dance side to side motion. Their life cycle is approximately one year, so it is usually only worthwhile to fish imitations of these from fall until spring. Their importance as fish food significantly increases before emergence, as their pre-hatch migration to the banks causes them to lose contact with the bottom more often.

It may be useful to note that the nymphs are attracted to lights.

Good imitations include: Polly Rosborough's Little Yellow Stone, a small (#8-10) yellow Kaufmann's Stone, or even a small yellow Wooly Worm

Fish 'em with some motion, but not much

Adults

(body length approx. 2.0 cm)

The adults hatch in the late winter. The nymphs migrate to the banks of the river, climb up out of the water, and then out of their cases. As adults they remain active, and often can be a pain in the ass, climbing up your shirt while you are trying to maintain a drag-free float with your March Brown. While they are wandering around in the brush trying to find a mate, the occaisional burst of wind or just general clumsiness can land them in the water. They are big enough so they cannot get back out, and must thrash their way back to shore. They lay their eggs in the evening, by fluttering over the river, and dipping their abdomens, making this a good bug to imitate, as both a dry and wet fly.

Good imitations include: Brown Elk Hair Caddis, Brown and Yellow Stimulators

dmason@zebu.uoregon.edu