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This topic is about the Stonefly Family Capniidae

These are the first stoneflies of the year to appear in most parts of the country, and often the first aquatic insects noticed by the angler. Their dark brown or black bodies are easy to spot against the snowbanks where they crawl around.

Capnia in the West and Allocapnia in the East are probably the most common genera of this prolific family. Read more...

Capniidae (Snowflies) Stonefly Nymph Capniidae (Snowflies) Stonefly Nymph (4 Pictures)
Capniidae (Snowflies) Stonefly Adult Capniidae (Snowflies) Stonefly Adult (6 Pictures)

There are 8 more specimens...

The Discussion

Post Reply
CaseyPNovember 28th, 2012, 4:55 pm
Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653		in the winter, we here in the east are told that little black stoneflies might be hatching, so we tie up neat little tiny black things to represent the dries. can anyone steer me to a proper pattern for the nymphs? or is any dark quite small generic nymph going to do the job?

and surely they have a sexy Latin name...
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
TaxonNovember 28th, 2012, 11:44 pm
Site Editor
Royse City, TX

Posts: 1350		Hi Casey-

and surely they have a sexy Latin name...


Yes, they surely do. Take your choice, as all these are present in VA:

Capniidae Allocapnia aurora Aurora Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia curiosa Peculiar Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia frisoni Evansville Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia fumosa Smokies Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia granulata Common Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia harperi Stonyfork Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia illinoensis (Illinois Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia loshada (Recurved Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia maria (Two-knobbed Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia mystica (Moraine Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia nivicola (Brook Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia pygmaea (Pygmy Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia recta (Eastern Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia rickeri (Midwest Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia simmonsi (Spatulate Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia stannardi (Blueridge Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia virginiana (Virginia Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia vivipara (Shortwing Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia wrayi (Pristine Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia zola (Ash Snowfly)
Capniidae Nemocapnia carolina (Southern Snowfly)
Capniidae Paracapnia angulata (Angulate Snowfly)
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com
TaxonNovember 28th, 2012, 11:52 pm
Site Editor
Royse City, TX

Posts: 1350		Kurt-

Is the image at the top of this thread misplaced? It seems incongruous to display an image of Pteronarcys biloba under thread title of Specimen Discussion > little black stoneflies.
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com
EntomanNovember 29th, 2012, 12:52 am
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604		Yes indeed, Roger. Thanks for pointing it out - I'll move it.
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
CaseyPNovember 29th, 2012, 8:23 am
Arlington, VA/ Mercersburg, PA

Posts: 653		my fault, Kurt! went looking for stoneflies and found some and just started writing...thanks for setting me straight and finding the appropriate pictures.

looks like some fine brass wire and yellow pheasant tail would make the right kind of Sawyer pattern nymph for these guys. skinny little things, aren't they!
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
EntomanNovember 29th, 2012, 12:30 pm
Northern CA & ID

Posts: 2604		Hey, no sweat Casey. Happens all the time.

looks like some fine brass wire and yellow pheasant tail would make the right kind of Sawyer pattern nymph for these guys. skinny little things, aren't they!

You got that right! I remember the first time I saw them against my kick net, I thought they were midge pupae until looking closer. I think your idea for an imitation is spot on as well. Though their nymphs are usually brown, I've also had good luck with tiny Copper John's tied with black wire during Snowfly season. Perhaps they take them for drowned adults or just silhouette better in slightly turbid water. As you suggest, tie 'em sparse!
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman

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