Extended body flies are not new in the world of fly fishing and fly
tying by any stretch, but they have recently become respected standards
in the volumes of effective fly patterns. Accordingly, it seems every
seriously fly tyer has developed at least one extended body fly with
high hopes of cashing in on the craze.
Nevada-based fly tyer,
Andy Burk, decided to join in the fun and contribute his Extended Body
Yellow Stonefly pattern to the mix. As always Burk’s creative use of
materials and flair for elegance in fly design have placed him at the
fore of the extended body movement.
Burk’s Extended Body Yellow Stonefly is a perfect
imitator of that favorite early season stonefly hatch of little yellow
stoneflies, commonly known as “Yellow Sallies.” With its innovative and
realistic red-tipped foam extended body, stiff white hair wing, and
supportive contrasting hackle, this fly will ride neatly and visibly on
the water’s surface – just where those hungry trout want it.
Specifications:
- This fly pattern was developed by professional fly tyer Andy Burk of Reno, Nevada
- Little yellow stonefly imitation in the adult life stage
- Use as either an impressionistic searching fly or as a realistic imitation when matching the hatch
- Drift the fly through different water types; faster riffles and shallower water near the banks of a river with moderate to slow currents are the most productive water types for this fly
- Little yellow stonefly nymphs are available to trout all year long in trout water throughout North America
- Most prolific hatches occur during warmer months (June – August)
- Hatches occur consistently and with long duration throughout the daylight hours
- Strikes on little yellow stoneflies are often far from subtle because trout must often be prepared to rip these strong crawlers from their rocky homes
- When approaching a shallow water environment with an adult stonefly, be extremely careful not to spook happily feeding trout – stalking and fly presentations should be stealthy and subtle
- SIZE 16
When and Where to Fish Burk’s Extended Body Yellow Stonefly
This
relatively small adult stonefly can be fished as either an
impressionistic fly pattern when searching for trout or as a realistic
imitation when matching the hatch. When searching, fish this fly in
riffles, well defined current seams, areas below faster currents, and
near exposed rocky structure and streamside vegetation. Shallow water
near the river bank will also be productive when fishing a little
yellow stonefly hatch, so be sure to survey the scene thoroughly.
Little yellow stoneflies are available to trout all year long but are
most active during the warmer spring and summer months (June – August).
These stoneflies are active throughout the day in cool, well-oxygenated
water, and are commonly found anywhere trout thrive. These adults do
not possess strong flying ability and are often swept into the main
current’s drift – look for these floating specimens in the main drift
as well as shallower, less energetic water near sheltered areas. Prior
to and during emergence, an angler will easily spot little yellow
stonefly nymphs crawling from the rocky depths to the shallower water
along the river bank and eventually to the surface of exposed rocks and
vegetation to shed their shucks and hatch into winged adults – this is
the sign to begin fishing the little yellow stonefly hatch.
How to Fish Burk’s Extended Body Yellow Stonefly
Fish
this fly in a variety of water types; because of their aggressive and
migratory feeding nature, strong crawling ability, and widespread
proliferation in all kinds of trout water, just about anywhere within a
healthy aquatic ecosystem can be prime real estate for little yellow
stoneflies. Stonefly nymphs emerge after crawling to the safety of the
shoreline rather than shedding their nymphal shucks in the water’s
surface film like mayflies. This pre- and during-emergence behavior
renders shallower streamside water quite productive just prior to and
during a little yellow stonefly emergence and hatch. When fishing with
an adult little yellow stonefly imitation, be sure to cover both the
main drift as well as slower water in eddys and beneath streamside
vegetation. Dead drift these adult imitations through these areas using
a standard dry fly presentation. Little yellow stoneflies, often
referred to as “Yellow Sallies,” can make themselves available
throughout the day all year long, but are most prevalent during the
warmer months of June through August. Trout prey on them hungrily and
voraciously, so don’t be surprised when you feel an aggressive take –
set the hook confidently and with care if you happen to be fishing with
lighter leaders and tippet material!
Little Yellow Stonefly
Little yellow stoneflies (or
“Yellow Sallies”) are relatively small stoneflies that occur with great
regularity and in large numbers in trout waters throughout North
America. These pale yellow to light brown crawling nymphs are widely
distributed throughout rivers and streams, and this broad distribution
makes the species and important staple of any North American trout’s
seasonal diet. During the larval stage, which commonly lasts about 1
year, little yellow stoneflies spend the balance of their time using
their slender, but strong legs, and low center of gravity to crawl or
“creep” about the rocky bottoms of small to large rivers and spring
creeks with moderate to fast flow rates. As nymphs, little yellow
stoneflies display long and slender tails and antennae and can
sometimes display complex patterns along their pale yellow to brown
backs. As winged adults, these insects take on a creamy yellow or milky
straw color and boast the flat wings common to all adult stoneflies.
The little yellow stonefly follows the life stages of a typical
stonefly life cycle and hatches across North America with great
availability throughout the year with more prolific hatches occurring
during the warmer months of June through August.
Little Yellow Stonefly Adult Life Stage
After
migration to the foliage and rocks of the shoreline, little yellow
stoneflies shed the remainder of their nymphal shucks and quickly find
mates under the protective cover of streamside vegetation. The
fertilized females will then fly clumsily above the water, quickly
darting to the surface to deposit eggs, making themselves easy targets
for aggressive surface-feeding trout. Many adults will also fall from
the safety of streamside trees, weeds, and other vegetation. These
unfortunate bugs wind up in swept along with the main current and will
often collect in the slower water of eddys and along deeper cut banks.
Little yellow stoneflies in their adult stage are easily spotted as
they are quite active during and after their streamside mating time.
Adults of the species take on a distinctive pale yellow coloration and
boast barred antennae and tails as well as large darkly colored eyes.
About the Tyer: Andy Burk
Andy
Burk has been fly fishing all his life and loves to share his
experience, ideas, creativity, and techniques with anyone who’ll
listen. He’s a tremendously successful angler who has a big personality
and lots of fun wherever he is. A well-known professional fly designer
for Umpqua Feather Merchants, Andy has developed a cult following among
fly tyers by willingly sharing many of his best secrets at traveling
fly tying shows and in-shop demonstrations. Andy has recently begun to
reach many others by using 21st Century technology to his advantage.
Thanks to Andy and You Tube, Internet-savvy fly tyers and fly anglers
from all corners of the globe can now bring his fly tying tips into
their living rooms and offices. Andy continues to develop new ideas
from his home in Reno, Nevada, and is will continue to be an asset to
the fly fishing industry for decades to come.
Leland on Umpqua
In
1972 a man named Dennis Black and his fly tying skills found themselves
in high demand. Mr. Black, then a professional production fly tyer, was
famous in the industry for his unsurpassed skill and speed with
whipping up tremendously beautiful and precisely constructed flies. It
wasn’t long until this young fly tying superstar realized that he ought
to take his consistent approach to quality to the next level. Shortly
after this realization, a small army of fly tyers had banded together
to support Mr. Black’s vision. With the likes of Dave Whitlock, Jack
Dennis, and Andy Puyans, Mr. Black was officially in business.
Dennis
Black’s new company Umpqua Feather Merchants quickly extended its reach
and fly production capabilities with expansion into India, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand, where the world’s first and full blown “fly tying
factories” were built. Since those early days, only the highest
standard of excellence has marked Umpqua and this commitment to quality
and efficiency continues to spur the company forward. Dennis Black’s
innovative vision for “fly production” has truly revolutionized how the
fly industry operates and has ultimately made the majority of
production flies better. From the first “royalty system” for rewarding
the most creative professional fly tyers to streamlining production
systems and offering a range of other products, Umpqua Feather
Merchants just seems to “do it all.”
Today, Umpqua Feather
Merchants is without a doubt the world’s best and most prolific
supplier of hand tied fly fishing flies as well as fly tying hooks and
materials, and they recently got better! Umpqua’s brand new, state of
the art headquarters in Louisville, Colorado marks another paradigm
shift in the way fly tying business is done. From its vast warehouse to
its specially designed inventory management and tracking system, Umpqua
is poised to continue its energetic trajectory and lead the way for the
next generation of flies and fly tyers.
Umpqua on Umpqua
"As
you may or may not know, we're the largest producer of quality
hand-tied flies in the world. We also make available through your local
fly shop a wide array of the finest fly-tying hackle and Tiemco hooks.
At
Umpqua we offer everything the angler needs to a have a first class
fishing experience. (Everything that is, but the water and the fish.)"
Umpqua on Dennis Black and the “Obvious Quest”
“The
idea first took shape in the hands of our founder, Dennis Black, back
in 1972. As a fast and facile professional fly tyer, Dennis was known
for his skill and speed at producing hundreds of dozens of flies each
year for the larger mail order houses. But he was also quick to realize
how fast the demand for excellent flies would outstrip the abilities of
cottage industry types like him.
The Obvious Quest: To create
excellent flies in sufficient supply – without sinking his standards.
In response, Dennis developed (with characteristic care) a methodical
plan: First, he enlisted the tying expertise of the likes of Dave
Whitlock, Jack Dennis, Andy Puyans and others, to help him set the
standard of excellence for Umpqua flies.
Next, Dennis
established the first of what would eventually be five separate
fly-tying “factories,” first in India, then in Sri Lanka, and finally
in Thailand. The primary focus at each of these factories was on
producing the very best fishing flies possible, constructed of the very
best materials available. From the beginning, the quantity of flies
produced was secondary to the quality and excellence of each fly
pattern. These high standards were assured by the personal involvement
of the fly designers themselves, and by the ever-increasing skill,
imagination and creativity of the Umpqua production fly tiers. Today,
you will find no flies more skillfully tied than those available from
Umpqua Feather Merchants.
Finally, Dennis created a system of
royalty payments, to reward professional tyers like Whitlock, Lefty
Kreh, Randall Kaufman, Larry Dahlberg, and Bob Popovics for uniquely
good patterns.
The Result: Today, Umpqua produces umpteen
thousand dozen flies, from micro-scopic midge imitations to the huge
patterns favored by marlin and sailfish. And the "Umpquality" – you’ll
see for yourself.”