Mike,
The popularity of the stonefly is probably due to its use as a
heavily-weighted nymph fished under a large strike indicator. This is a
technique that gained great popularity on the North Umpqua and which has
recently led to changes in the regulations there effectively outlawing it.
It's an effective means of getting the fly down deep in areas where other
techniques won't. I hope the mere mention of it doesn't start one of those
endless arguments about what is and isn't fly fishing. Personally, I don't
find it a very attractive or satisfying way to fish. By the way, weighted
flies remain illegal on the North Fork of the Stilly until October
fifteenth.
