The little black stoneflies (Capnia and Allocapnia) are the first dry-fly action of the year — small dark stones crawling and fluttering on late-winter afternoons. A slim black body, a low dark wing, and a few turns of black hackle are all it takes; presentation matters more than precision this early.
1. Thread base — Attach black thread behind the eye and build a base to the bend.
2. Body — Dub a slim, tight black body over the rear two-thirds of the shank.
3. Wing — Stack a small, sparse bunch of black deer hair. Tie in flat and low over the body, tips reaching the hook bend. Trim the butts.
4. Hackle — Tie in a black hackle at the wing tie-in. Wind 2–3 turns. Tie off and trim.
5. Head — Build a small head, whip finish, and cement.
hook
thread
body
wing
hackle
Capniidae spp.
