Kaufmann Stimulator

The Kaufmann Stimulator is one of my favorite flies since it’s big, buoyant, and easy to see. I fish these throughout the summer months, usually with a dropper fly and the trout smash them.

The Stimulator is considered an attractor pattern and is used to represent stoneflies and larger caddis. They also imitate grasshoppers (especially if you include ruberlegs), spruce moths, and much more.

I tie them on size 10 Tiemco 200R hooks in brown, tan, olive, purple, and gold for the summer months and orange in the fall when the October Caddis begin to emerge. You can tie them smaller or larger depending on the water you’re fishing.

Kaufmann Stimulators

The Stimulator can be dead drifted in a riffle or skated, but don’t be afraid to twitch your rod tip to give the fly extra movement. If you ever watch caddis or stoneflies they are skittering all over the water with movement. Fish can’t resist and strike hard.

One of my favorite flies to fish, but I love tying Stimulators too. They take some practice but will improve your palmered hackle, hair tying, and dubbing skills. Be creative and tie them in different colors and sizes and you’ll be amazed how they fish.

Tight Lines,

Greg