Montana Fishing

Montana’s Classic Stonefly Bench discusses the evolution of fly patterns for trout fishing, highlighting Cal Bird’s original stonefly and Mike Lawson’s Improved Bird’s Stone, which refined its design for challenging waters. Randall Kaufmann created the versatile Stimulator, successfully merging multiple fly characteristics, thereby becoming the preferred dry fly in the American West.

Montana’s Classic Stonefly Bench begins by exploring the origins and significance of two essential salmonfly patterns: the Improved Sofa Pillow and the Bird’s Stonefly. Developed to effectively imitate the prominent salmonfly, these patterns maintain durability and visibility in fast waters. Mastering these techniques is crucial for successful fly fishing during the salmonfly hatch.