Hey Kevin, It could be a # of different things, some that we will never know, but some things to try... #1) those fish usually don't like wasting too much energy for the reward, so those fish refused your offering for good reason, and before changing patterns or sizes try a different angle, get up stream ( if possible) and try a downstream drift, which will be a fly first presentation v.s. a presentation from behind or 90 degrees, will help reduce the chance of the fish seeing your leader and if possible try this approach before any other. #2) If that dosen't work try lengthening your leader or dropping a size or two on your tippet. #3) The high riding stone fly patterns seem to do better in fast water and the low riders (more realistic) in flat water. #4) Don' forget the "TWITCH", sometimes a bit of a twitch or two to show some movement just before the fly gets to the fish does wonders. #5) Try a medium or large size soft hackle as a dropper or a floating nymph behind your stone, I have had days where they will false rise like you are describing and have been very frustrated and then one day I tied some large soft hackles and used them as a dropper and they wouldnt leave it alone. #6) Pressure has a ton to do with fussy fish, if they have seen a bunch of pressure your first approach is critical, sometimes you only get one chance and the first one is usually the most important, kinda like a job interview. #7) One of your jokester buddies clipped of your hook points just to *?)%$ck with you, always check your points...always...and don't forget to get even.
