The "Stimulator". How many of us carry this fly in our boxes, and how many of you actually fish it?
While many give credit to Randell Kaufmann for creating this fly, and he might have, others say that's not so. A fly fisher from New Jersey created it and fished it in his home state. Jim Slattery named the fly "Stimulator" after a New York City punk rock group by the same name. But the fly also bears a close resemblance to a fly called a "Sofa Pillow". The Sofa Pillow was created by Pat Barnes in the 1940's. When he tied it and showed it to a group of Texans he was guiding they said that fly is as big as a sofa pillow.
Well no matter what you call it, or who you may think created it, I believe it should be a staple in your box. Tied with various colored bodies, usually orange, yellow, and green, or olive. It can be tied in large sizes 8-10, or smaller sizes 12-16. I prefer 12 and 14. It can represent insects from caddis to stoneflies, to grass hoppers. The orange dubbed body Stimulator is my favorite, and is a great color for Autumn brook trout.
This is an front end view of a Stimulator in action. This fly does just as its name implies.
On streams just as this the Stimulator shines. Weather allowed to drift naturally or skated across slack or swift water it can bring some violent responses.
This wild jewel found it hard to resist all that hair and hackle. You could say he was stimulated by the "Stimulator"
Click Images To Enlarge
Definitely in my box! I've found orange, yellow, and olive good colors. I really like to fish the stimulator with a small nymph off the back. I've found it effective on larger rivers and small streams alike.
ReplyDeleteMark,
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I figured you would have a few in your box. At times they are a day saver.
"The "Stimulator". How many of us carry this fly in our boxes, and how many of you actually fish it?" Me, Me, and I have a whole box full mostly 12's and 14's in yellow, green, and orange.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
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I figured the Stimulator a western pattern Mark K. would have them. Those sizes are my favorites, as well as the colors.
I don't tie many dry flys for Trout. But, purchase them I do. Certainly one of the great universal patterns for fishing on moving water in this country. Plain and simple, it works!
ReplyDeletePond Stalker,
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Mel your right on about it working. I've never fished for bass using a Stimulator but I can see it working just fine.
i can only imagine the hits you're going to get on this post from folks doing google searches for other items. :)
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
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Teresa there's a message in that post...well said.
Excellent Stimulators, Alan!
ReplyDeleteThe Stimulator is probably my all time favorite dry fly. I tie most of mine with rubber legs now. My favorite colors are the original yellow and all black. I like to fish BIG Stimulators on summer evenings/nights...up to size 4. I lost a monster brown on a peacock and brown Stim on the upper reaches of the Farmington a few years back.
Ben B.
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I've seen a few with legs on some forums, just more added action to a good fly.
Large Stimulators fished at the proper times can attract those "big eaters"
Gotta love Stimulators. They catch fish even when they seem to be feeding selectively.
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle,
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It's a fave of mine. And from the responses I see it's a fave of many others.
I still have 2 Sofa Pillows that were tied in the 70's......................Just for sticky summer evenings.
ReplyDeleteRandy Bodkins,
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Longevity. When well constructed they still produce.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI have the stimulator in my fly box, but seldom use it. I guess because my dropper fly is usually under an adams or your bomber. This post will get me fired up about using it more. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
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I very seldom use a dropper. I just throw out the Stimulator as a change. Bill they might work as a still water fly for you.
Who or what wouldn't be stimulated by those beauties?
ReplyDeletepenbayman,
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Well my friend from "down east" I know a few who have been stimulated.
Warm up that way Mike?
Next to a muddler, I'll take a stimulator any day. Great fly.
ReplyDeleteJim Yaussy Albright,
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I know your love of the muddler by your posts....now the stimulator.
Thanks Alan, I just learned a thing or two about this pattern which I have been using more and more of lately. It's a great floater and the risers find it... stimulating.
ReplyDeleteWalt Franklin,
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Stimulating indeed.
I love Stimulators!
ReplyDeleteKierran Broatch,
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Another angler added to the list.