Published Mar 19. 2021 - 3 years ago
Updated or edited Mar 20. 2021

Stimulator

Stimulators are a classic pattern that just works amazingly. It has been in the boxes of many dry fly fisherman since the 80's, and is still popular today. In fact its one of the most effective patterns for much of the west. It can mimic a stonefly or caddis. According to a few online sources (evergreentrout.org, and flyfishersinternational.org) it was created by Randall Kaufmann who loosely based his design off of the fluttering stonefly made by Jim Slattery, which itself was based off of a pattern called the sofa pillow by Pat Barnes in the 1940's which is very close to the stimulator we have today. So this pattern has been in some ways been developed and improved since the 40's.

Personally I like tying these in all black with red wire ribbing, this orange color, yellow, olive, and brown. They are all great colors to mimic specific forages in different rivers and seasons. I like to flatten the wing a little, as to not have it poof up as much as some you see online. The hackle choices also are important. I really like to down size the hackle for this fly, as it will sit better in the water that way, and in my opinion looks better.

As I said in the video, www.risenfly.com offers some great quality fly tying materials and fly fishing gear at incredible prices. Best of all I got you guys even more of a discount. Type in McFly at checkout for an additional 15% off of anything you buy in their store on your first purchase.

As always here is a list of materials I used.
Hook: Risen Natural Bend 200r in size 10 - https://www.risenfly.com/collections/hooks/products/dry-fly-200r
Thread: Veevus 10/0 in brown - https://amzn.to/3qhRv3s
Wing and tail: Natures Spirit Stimulator Deer Hair - https://www.dooleysflyfishing.com/products/natures-spirit-stimulator-dee...
Wire: UTC Ultrawire - https://amzn.to/306wTk4
Dubbing: The one I used is no longer available, but the top flight dubbing will work great - https://amzn.to/3kFy5o9
Hackle: Whiting Brown and Grizzly Dry Fly Saddle Hackle - https://amzn.to/389BkiB
Head Cement: Loon Waterbased - https://amzn.to/3sG3ysW

Tools.....
Vise: Renzetti Traveler - https://amzn.to/2t2FFmo
Bobbin: Stonfo Bobtec - https://amzn.to/2YWOf39
Scissors: Risen Mitton - https://www.risenfly.com/collections/fly-tying-tools-and-accessories/pro...
Bodkin - Pin Vise - https://amzn.to/2EQYQ4S
Whip finisher: Dr. Slick brass - https://amzn.to/2tGYwDW
Hair Stackers: Medium Sized Stacker - https://amzn.to/309qkxb. And ultra small Renzetti stacker - https://amzn.to/3riegFG
Fly Tying Bench: Oasis Walnut Compact Bench - https://www.oasisbenches.com/oasis-benches/compact-bench/

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Originator: 
Submitter: 
shawnstve
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