There is some debate as to who really created this fly. There is no question however that it catches fish!

This is one of my all-time favorite dry flies as it works in many situations. Stimulators are a great pattern for mimicking Stonefly’s, Hoppers and even large Caddis flies. The large elk hair wing and fully hackle wrapped body makes it sit on top of the water like a T-Bone on a pile of mashed potatoes. Who could resist? (Not many vegan trout I would guess).

The amount of buoyant elk hair on this fly makes it a great option when fishing dropper style rigs. Tied in the larger sizes it will stay up with even some of the heaviest nymph and emerger patterns. Also great fished alone with a nice dead drift or some twitching action to stimulate fish!

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Stimulator Recipe:
Hook – Umpqua Tiemco Fly Tying Hooks TMC 5212
Thread – UNI Waxed Thread – 6/0 – Yellow
Tail – Wapsi Elk Body Hair*
Ribbing – UTC Ultra Wire* – XS or Fine – Gold
Abdomen Body – Hareline Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing* – Amber
Abdomen Hackle – Keough Tyer’s Grade Capes – Brown
Wing – Wapsi Elk Body Hair*
Wing – Hareline Sparkle Emerger Yarn – Clear White
Underwing – Hareline Krystal Flash – Fluorescent Yellow
Thorax Body –   Hareline Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing* – Yellow
Thorax Hackle – Keough Tyer’s Grade Capes – Grizzly
Legs – Hareline Grizzly Medium Barred Rubber Legs – Fluorescent Yellow

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* Items marked with an asterisk replace a material that has been discontinued since this video was filmed. We picked the closest match we carry today.