Tying a Curved Shank Pat's Rubber Leg

A Winter Staple: Curved-Shank Stonefly Nymph That Flat-Out Work

Some flies earn their place the hard way—by producing fish year after year, in all conditions, and for anglers who actually spend time on the water. This curved-shank stonefly nymph is one of those patterns. In the video, Hayden Williams  breaks down a staple from his year-round nymph box, and it’s a pattern every Western river angler should know how to tie.

You’ll fish this fly a lot. That’s exactly why it makes sense to tie it yourself. When you stock your box with this pattern in a handful of sizes and color variants—think black, brown, coffee, and golden—you suddenly have a nymph that covers a huge range of water types and seasonal conditions. From cold winter seams to higher-flow shoulder seasons, this fly just keeps getting eaten.

One of the most important details to pay attention to when tying this pattern is leg symmetry. Balanced rubber legs don’t just look better— clean symmetry gives you consistency, and consistency catches more fish over time.

The curved shank hook is another key feature. It gives the fly a slightly different profile than a standard straight-shank stonefly, helping it stand out just enough without becoming flashy. That subtle variation can be a real advantage on pressured Western rivers, where trout see plenty of nymphs drift past their noses.

This is a pattern for active anglers—people who want one (or both) of two things:

1. To fish more and spend less. Tying your own proven stoneflies means fewer shop trips and more confidence every time you lose a fly.

2. The satisfaction of catching fish on your own work. There’s nothing quite like watching your indicator dip—or feeling that tight-line pause—knowing the fly doing the job came out of your vise.

There are certainly fancier patterns out there. More materials, more steps, more flash. But every angler and every tyer—beginner to advanced—should be able to produce consistent, effective stonefly nymphs like this one. It’s foundational. It works. And it teaches good habits at the vise that translate directly to better fishing.

Winter is the perfect time to lean into fly tying. Spend the cold months filling your box, dialing in proportions, and building confidence. When spring flows arrive, you’ll be ready—with a fly you trust, in the sizes and colors you actually need, tied by your own hands.