Best Golden Stone Fly Patterns
PK Golden (Missoula Golden)
The PK Golden was invented by the original owner of The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop, Paul Kohler. A gifted fly tyer and fly designer, this fly has been taking trout in Missoula for over 30 years. The Bullet head floats low, and provides a natural shape fish find irresistible.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL
- Thread: Yellow 140D Uni Thread
- Tail: Golden Olive Antron
- Rib: Small Pearlescent Tinsel
- Body: Golden Olive Antron
- Wing: Gray Calf Tail
- Head: Elk Body Hair tied Bullet Style
- Legs: Brown Spanflex
- Indicator: Fl. Green Egg Yarn
El Camino Grillo Golden Stone
The El Camino floats low but has strong floatation. Low floating imitations are a strong trigger to make trout strike, especially in the high water that Golden Stones hatch in. This fly is a quintessential western stonefly-foam, rubberlegs and flashy stuff, but unlike some other flies we see that are clunky and bulky, the El Camino resembles it’s namesake and stays sleek, low and effective.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL Curved Shank Size 8-12
- Thread: 136D Brown Uni Thread
- Egg Sac: Orange/Brown Sparkle Dubbing
- Tail: Orange and Black Barred Round Rubber Legs
- Over Back: 2mm Tan Foam, tied over abdomen with tying thread
- Abdomen: Orange/Brown Sparkle Dubbing
- Underwing: Pearl Krystal Flash
- Wing: Dyed Brown Elk Body Hair
- Thorax: Orange/Brown Sparkle Dubbing
- Legs: Orange and Black Barred Round Rubber Legs
- Wing Case: 2mm Tan Foam
- Indicator: 1mm Orange Foam
- Antennae: Orange and Black Barred Round Rubber Legs
Demoes Golden Stone
This is a very active fly on the water, with two sets of legs. The curved shank hook keeps it in the surface film, while the wing provides sparkle and floatation. To make the Demoe’s Golden float even lower in the film, only put floatant on the wing, and let the Indicator locate it for you!
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL Curved Shank
- Thread: Burnt Orange 140D Uni Thread
- Egg Sac: Black Ice Dub
- Tail: Barred Orange and Black Round Rubber Legs
- Rib: Fine Gray Wire
- Overback: 2mm Brown Foam
- Abdomen: Burnt Orange Dubbing
- Underwing: Gray Anton
- Wing: Dark Elk Body Hair
- Bullet Head: Brown 2 mm Foam
- Thorax: Burnt Orange Dubbing
- Front Legs: 2 sets of Barred Orange and Black Round Rubber Legs
- Indicator: Orange Widow’s Web
Winged True Golden Stone
This fly floats well and has a tremendous silhouette on the water. The fly floats low in the film, while the Widows Web wing helps keep it afloat. Not the easiest fly to tie, it’s worth having in your box when the goldens are fully in the film.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL Size 8-10
- Body: Foam coated with Golden Yellow with Tan stripes with Brown Top, threaded on hook
- Thread: Yellow 6/0 Uni Thread (136D)
- Underwing: Shaped Plastic Wing with Veinations
- Wing: White Widow’s Web
- Rear Legs: Tan Flexi Floss, Knotted
- Rear Thorax: Tan Sparkle Dubbing Mix
- Mid Legs: Tan Flexi Floss, knotted
- Front Legs: Tan Flexi Floss, knotted
- Front Thorax: Tan Sparkle Dubbing Mix
Clooks Golden Floater In The Pool
This fly is designed to imitate a swamped golden stone that can’t exit the water. When applying floatant, only cover the foam and the thorax, leaving the abdomen uncovered. This will allow the abdomen to sink below the surface film, while the foam Wing Case and Indicator will keep the fly afloat. Not the easiest fly for the angler to see- the fish recognized a drowned insect and will key on them.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL Curved Shank Size 6-8
- Thread: Tan 6/0 Uni Thread (136D)
- Tail: Two strands Pearl Krystal Flash
- Rib: Brown V-Rib
- Abdomen: Golden Stone Mix Sparkle Dub
- Wing: Elk Body Hair, short
- Wing Case: 2mm Brown Foam, folded over
- Indicator: 2mm tallow Foam
- Rear Legs: Black Barred Brown Sexi Floss
- Thorax: Golden Stone Mix Sparkle Dubbing
- Front Legs: Black Barred Brown Sexi Floss
Plan B Golden
The Plan B is guide favorite, often working when other flies have been completely ignored, hence the name. The Plan B floats high as it comes from the bin, but many of our guides will cut the body hackle off flush to the hook shank. This allows the fly to ride lower, as well as keeping the fly upright.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL
- Thread: Olive 6/0 Danville Flymaster (70D)
- Tail: Orange Antron under Red Krystal Flash Under Black Krystal Flash
- Egg Sac: Sparkle Pale Dirty Orange Dubbing
- Body: 2mm Tan Foam, cut to shape
- Rear Legs: Tan Span Flex
- Rear indicator: 2mm Yellow Foam
- Body Hackle: Pale Ginger
- Body: Sparkle Pale Dirty Orange Dubbing
- 0Front Legs: Tan Span Flex
- Front Indicator: 2mm Orange Foam
Willy’s Ant Golden
The Willly’s Ant is a perfect blend of color and design. The light dubbing color is offset by the dark back, providing a great color and silhouette for the trout. The 3mm Foam make the Willy’s Ant a great fly for floating a dropper, as the high floating white wing is quite visible to the angler.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hooks: 3XL Size 8-12
- Egg Sac: Golden Tan Dubbing
- Body: 3mm Black Foam, cut to shape
- Rear Legs: Black Span Flex
- Wing: White Widow’s Web
- Front Legs: Black Span Flex
Pat’s Rubberlegs Jig Brown And Tan
This is one the most effective flies in Missoula Montana. The tungsten bead gets the fly down quickly, while the Rubber Legs provide action without adversely affecting the sink rate. For some reason, the fly fishing guides in Missoula call this fly the “Turd”, a less charming name for a very effective fish taker all year round.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: Daaiichi 4640 Size 8-10
- Bead: Gold Slotted Tungsten Bead to match hook size
- Thread: Tan 6/0 Uni Thread (136D)
- Tail: Tan Span Flex
- Body: Tan and Brown Brindle Chenille
- Body Legs: 3 Sets Tan Span Flex
- Antennae: Tan Span Flex
Water Walker Golden
A great stonefly silhouette is what the Water walker provides. They float low in the film, but will support a dropper with their 3mm foam. If you want to tie up some Water walkers for the Golden Stones, think about getting a wing cutter. It makes the process a whole lot easier.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL Size 8-10
- Thread: 6/0 Black Uni Thread (136D)
- Egg Sac: Dirty Orange Sparkle Dubbing
- Body: 2mm Brown Foam cut to shape
- Body Dubbing Dirty Orange Sparkle Dubbing
- Under Wing: Root Beer Krystal Flash
- Wing: Two .5mm Tan Foam cut to shape
- Rear Legs: Two Brown Fine Round Rubber Legs, knotted, with a single strand removed at the rear
- Indicator: 1mm White Foam
- Mid Leg: Brown Fine Round Rubber Legs
- Front Legs: Two Brown Fine Round Rubber Legs, knotted, with a single strand removed at the rear
Additional Golden Stone Resources
Missoula Montana Guided Fly Fishing Trip
Come enjoy a day on the river with Missoula’s best fly fishing guides. We float the Bitterroot River, Blackfoot River and the Clark Fork River. All gear, lunch and transportation provided.
