Joes Canadian Stone - Here is an awesome stonefly pattern that works very well for Ontario Steelhead waters like the Saugeen River. This is a Joe Penich pattern and in Canada they use seal dubbing. In the U.S. we substitute Psudo Seal from Spirit River to create that ultimate buggy look. This pattern is a producer for all Great Lakes Steelhead waters. Tie one up and give it a drift.

Joe's Canadian Stone - The Recipe

Hook: 1730 Daiichi #4-12
Thread: 6/0 Grey
Tail: Black Goose Biots
Body: .035 lead tied in on sides to create a flat body
Body: Seal Dubbing (Psudo Seal for U.S.)
Rib: Copper Wire
Thorax: Seal Dub & Saddle Hackle
Eyes: Sprit River Medium black mono eyes
Wing Case: Brown Swiss Straw
Tenticles: Black Goose Biots

Note: Pick out dubbing after fly is tied for that real buggy look that makes lathargic Steelhead come to life. Thanks to Joe Penich for this great little pattern.

About Joe - Joe Penich is part of the pro guide staff at Grindstone Angling in Ontario Canada.

Joe is known by many as one of the most innovative flytyers in Canada. A testament to this is the number of custom fly orders he ties each year for Grindstone's and Flymart's customers and for the guides of the shops. Joe is also one of Grindstone's professional guides and hosts trips to the river in the spring and fall each year for steelhead and salmon. At Grindstone, he is the resident steelhead specialist and Joe's experience catching these elusive fish with his own variation of techniques is supported by the number of steelhead landed and released each year. Joe's clients end each trip with a wealth of ideas and new techniques for fly fishing steelhead or salmon and a healthy respect for the fight of these great fish.

Related Articles at FMO
Fly Fishing the Saugeen
Steelhead Patterns

Related Items in our stores

Ontario Blue-Ribbon Fly Fishing Guide
by: Scott E. Smith
March, 1999
Features some of Joe's home waters and also has some great info by John Valk - Grindstone Angling.

At Flymart : Pseudo Seal Traveller's Dubbing Assortment

Code: sr-dtp-888 Price: $12.00 Great for Salmon and Steelhead flies, The Psuedo Seal dubbing has the same lustrous sheen as natural seal, but is not as stiff. This is much easier to tie than the real thing and just as effective. This assortment comes with Black, Polar White, Olive, Green, Golden Yellow, Burnt Orange, Purple, Red, Minnow Blue, Chartreuse, Shrimp Pink, and Orange.