Golden Stonefly Hatch | Timing, Tactics & Top Flies

While the salmonfly hatch often steals the spotlight, the golden stonefly hatch is arguably the more dependable, long-lasting, and productive hatch across much of the Rocky Mountain West. In Montana especially, golden stoneflies hatch more prolifically and steadily than their larger salmonfly cousins—often side-by-side early in the season before taking over as the primary “big bug” once summer settles in.

When and Where to Fish the Golden Stonefly Hatch

Golden stoneflies begin emerging in late spring, continuing through July and into the latter portions of summer on many Western rivers. As water levels drop and temperatures rise, their hatches can remain consistent—though they don't always get the attention they deserve. During July and August, many golden stoneflies hatch at night, earning them the nickname “nocturnal stones.” They’re most active in the early morning hours, leaving behind shucks and egg-laying adults that reveal the hatch to observant anglers.

You’ll find this hatch throughout the region, particularly in Montana on the Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, Bitterroot, and Big Hole Rivers, as well as on the Deschutes in Oregon and Henry’s Fork in Idaho. Golden stones thrive in medium- to high-gradient freestones and small tributaries with cold, oxygenated water and rocky bottoms.

Why the Golden Stonefly Hatch Is So Productive

Golden stoneflies are large, high-protein insects that provide trout with a calorie-rich meal. Because their hatch lasts for weeks and overlaps with stable summer weather, fish stay on them long after other hatches fade. The hatch also coincides with the emergence of salmonflies which often steal the limelight. Bigger, clumsier, and a thrill to fish, salmonflies also have their downside. Imagine T-bone steak after T-bone steak coming downriver, with trout gorging themselves subsurface and on top. Eventually, these fish are simply too full to commit to another massive salmonfly... but they aren't going to go on a full-fledged diet, either. Instead, trout will key in on smaller insects at this time, and golden stones tick the box of being not too big and too tempting to turn down. 

"When dry fly fishing, besides when trying to match the hatch, I fish a golden stone dry when prospecting for fish the majority of the summer months. I even like to fish a golden stone dry pattern during a salmonfly hatch!" - U.S. West Program Director Jake Wells

Equally important, trout actively follow migrating nymphs as they crawl toward shorelines to emerge. This makes golden stonefly nymphs one of the most consistent and reliable fly patterns to fish from spring through mid-summer. If you are in that late-Spring timeframe but not seeing signs of an active emergence, focus on golden stone nymphs as there is likely ongoing movement and established feeding patterns already happening subsurface.

Top Golden Stonefly Patterns

Golden stoneflies range from bright yellow to dark tan, with amber and gold shades common. They typically run #6–#12 in hook size, with larger insects early on in the hatch and smaller adults later in the season. A large golden stone is upwards of two inches in length, with smaller bugs around an inch in size. 

Golden Stone Dry Flies

• Chubby Chernobyl – The ultimate foam dry; high-floating, visible, and perfect for dry-dropper rigs. Simple, effective, and reliable.
  
  
• Water Walker – A realistic low-rider that holds up in fast water. This is hands down one of the most productive salmonfly patterns across all of the major hatches, from salmonfly to skwala, and a must have for the golden stone hatch in tan, yellow, and peanut variants.
  
  
• Cat Puke – A classic pattern that leans into natural materials, the cat puke is a killer golden stone and salmonfly imitation. It floats well but rides low and has a super realisitic and buggy silhouette under the water. Treat the elk hair wing with a bit of floatant to keep it fresh. When foam isn't working, tie on a cat puke. 
  
  
• Rogue Foam – The rogue foam golden stone features an extended body with a segmented abdomen tied from foam, paired with an overwing and bullet-style deer hair head. All of these combine to make a virtually unsinkable golden stone imitation, making it a great option for heavy droppers.
  
  
• Morrish’s Fluttering Stone – An incredibly realistic pattern! Morrish's fluttering stone has a profile and silhouette that is tough to match. This is a great pattern early-to-mid hatch when fish are smacking everything in sight. 
  
  
• Golden Stone Barred Legs – Very similar to a chernobyl ant, the golden stone barred legs is an all-around, general golden stone pattern that is great for prospecting and covering water throughout the season. It isn't overly realistic, but ticks all the boxes in functionality and profile. 
  
  
• Stimulator – A timeless classic that belongs in every angler's fly box. The stimulator is particularly effective as trout receive more pressure or as the season passes and you need to size down. It isn't going to stand up to as many fish as its big foam counterparts, but is very effective, especially when subtler presentations and smaller flies are a must.
  
  
• Fool’s Gold – A reliable and local favorite, the Fool's Gold has been crushing since being introduced a few years back. It's unique multi-blend synthetic wing gives it a realistic look on the water, and multiple layers of foam ensure its riding on top in any water.
  
  
• RIO’s Juicy Stone – Ultra-buoyant and durable, the juicy stone is another realistic pattern that takes a fair bit of skill to tie. If you're fishing big water with a dropper, this is a solid option as it both mimics a golden stone down to the finest details, but also can easily accommodate the heaviest of droppers. 

Golden Stone Nymph Flies

Golden stonefly nymphs spend years beneath the surface, clinging to rocks in fast, shallow runs. As they migrate toward the banks before emergence, trout feed aggressively on them in the shallows and seams.

• Pat's Rubberlegs – The essential Western stonefly pattern: simple, heavy, and always effective. This is a year-round sort of pattern, but it absolutely crushes during the golden stone and salmonfly hatch, working double duty for both. Fish a size 6 or 8 and you are killing two birds with one stone.
  
  
• Deep Cleaner – This modified, more sophisticated mop fly gets down fast, offers all the same wiggle of a Pat's rubberlegs, and has an extended body that imitates the abdomen of a golden stone. This is a great pattern early in the season when the golden stones are first beginning to head for the banks, or ideal for big water when you need your nymph to cut through the flows. 
  
  
• Delektable Mr. Rubber Legs – Dan Delekta doesn't miss! His Mr. Rubberlegs is a much "buggier" pattern than a Rubberlegs and can be the difference for more discerning fish.
  
  
• RIO’s Bead Head Rubberleg – Perhaps the buggiest of all, this pattern features realistic biot tails, wing casings, and a segmented abdomen over a heavily tapered body.

Tactics for Fishing the Golden Stonefly Hatch

The most wonderful aspect of the golden stone hatch is you can reliably fish them throughout most of the summer season. Keep in mind, water levels and flows should dictate your fly selection. Early in the hatch when water levels are higher, opt for big foam flies to improve flotation and pair it with heavy nymphs to get down. As flows drop, pressure increases, and hatches are less prolific, size down your flies and opt for buggier patterns like a cat puke or stimulator. 

Another fun and engaging way to fish the golden stone hatch is to give them some life! You can certainly just dead-drift your fly--but bugs that have accidentally landed in the water rarely call it quits. Small twitches to simulate a struggling golden stone will frequently illicit strikes. On the flipside, consider sticking to low-riding flush patterns like a Morrish Still Stone later in the hatch or in the evenings to imitate a spent golden stone. This can be an effective tactic when a trout is still willing to eat, but not willing to expend much energy. These can also be effective slightly drowned!

General Recommendations:

• Early Morning: Work banks and riffles where nocturnal stones have recently hatched. Trout can sometimes be found feeding hard in the first light on these recently emerged bugs during this time.
  
  
• Midday to Afternoon: Fish large foam dry flies tight to banks, riffles, and structure; twitch occasionally to trigger takes.
  
  
• Evening: If you're dries are no longer getting takes, swing or dead-drift nymphs under a dropper near shorelines where stonefly nymphs migrate for the next night’s hatch. 

Gear for the Golden Stonefly Hatch

This part is not complicated. A 5- or 6-weight fly rod is ideal for most rivers, offering the backbone to cast bulky foam dries and the finesse for accurate presentations near the bank. On larger Western freestones like the Yellowstone or Madison, some anglers prefer a 6-weight for better control when throwing tandem dry-dropper rigs or battling strong fish in heavy current. If you HAD to choose between the two, opt for a 6-weight so you can cover all of your bases.

A floating weight-forward fly line with a slightly aggressive taper will help turn over big flies and maintain control in breezy conditions. It is also going to handle a dry-dropper setup better.

3x-4x Leaders in the 7½–9 foot range are standard for golden stone presentations. Shorter, heavier leaders turn over foam dries more effectively, while longer leaders can help when fishing calmer, clearer water. If you're fishing big, deep water such as the Yellowstone, a few feet of heavy tippet for your tippet will help accommodate a heavy dropper.

Final Thoughts

Often overshadowed by the salmonfly, the golden stonefly hatch in Montana delivers weeks of consistent, high-energy fishing from June through August. For anglers chasing the West's iconic summer hatches, the golden stonefly hatch represents everything great about big-bug season—long days, active trout, and unforgettable topwater eats.