Credit for the Stimulator’s design is often given to master fly tyer
Randall Kaufmann, who promoted the fly heavily in the western United
States. But according to Modesto, California-based fly tyer and angler,
Jim Slattery, the Stimulator is his Frankenstein; borrowing heavily
from Pat Barnes’ 1940s fly the “Sofa Pillow, and taking its name from a
popular New York City-based punk band. Slattery says he tied the
pattern in 1980 to fish what was then his backyard fly water: the
Musconetcong River in New Jersey. Any way you slice it, the Stimulator
is a fantastic emergent and adult stonefly imitation.
Kaufmann’s
Yellow Stimulator is a perfect imitator of that favorite early season
stonefly hatch of little yellow stoneflies, commonly known as “Yellow
Sallies.” With its attractive yellow floss body, stiff elk hair wing,
and supportive hackle, this fly will ride neatly and visibly on the
water’s surface – just where those hungry trout want it.
Specifications:
- The development of this fly pattern is often credited to master fly tyer Randall Kaufmann, but Modesto, California’s Jim Slattery claims to have tied the first Stimulator in 1980 while living and fishing in New Jersey
- Little yellow stonefly imitation in the emerger or adult life stage
- Use as either an impressionistic searching fly or as a realistic imitation when matching the hatch
- Drift the fly through different water types; faster riffles and shallower water near the banks of a river with moderate to slow currents are the most productive water types for this fly
- Little yellow stonefly nymphs are available to trout all year long in trout water throughout North America
- Most prolific hatches occur during warmer months (June – August)
- Hatches occur consistently and with long duration throughout the daylight hours
- Strikes on little yellow stoneflies are often far from subtle because trout must often be prepared to rip these strong crawlers from their rocky homes
- When approaching a shallow water environment with an adult stonefly, be extremely careful not to spook happily feeding trout – stalking and fly presentations should be stealthy and subtle
- SIZE 16
When and Where to Fish Kaufmann’s Stimulator – Little Yellow Stonefly
This
relatively small adult stonefly can be fished as either an
impressionistic fly pattern when searching for trout or as a realistic
imitation when matching the hatch. When searching, fish this fly in
riffles, well defined current seams, areas below faster currents, and
near exposed rocky structure and streamside vegetation. Shallow water
near the river bank will also be productive when fishing a little
yellow stonefly hatch, so be sure to survey the scene thoroughly.
Little yellow stoneflies are available to trout all year long but are
most active during the warmer spring and summer months (June – August).
These stoneflies are active throughout the day in cool, well-oxygenated
water, and are commonly found anywhere trout thrive. These adults do
not possess strong flying ability and are often swept into the main
current’s drift – look for these floating specimens in the main drift
as well as shallower, less energetic water near sheltered areas. Prior
to and during emergence, an angler will easily spot little yellow
stonefly nymphs crawling from the rocky depths to the shallower water
along the river bank and eventually to the surface of exposed rocks and
vegetation to shed their shucks and hatch into winged adults – this is
the sign to begin fishing the little yellow stonefly hatch.
How to Fish Kaufmann’s Stimulator – Little Yellow Stonefly
Fish
this fly in a variety of water types; because of their aggressive and
migratory feeding nature, strong crawling ability, and widespread
proliferation in all kinds of trout water, just about anywhere within a
healthy aquatic ecosystem can be prime real estate for little yellow
stoneflies. Stonefly nymphs emerge after crawling to the safety of the
shoreline rather than shedding their nymphal shucks in the water’s
surface film like mayflies. This pre- and during-emergence behavior
renders shallower streamside water quite productive just prior to and
during a little yellow stonefly emergence and hatch. When fishing with
an adult little yellow stonefly imitation, be sure to cover both the
main drift as well as slower water in eddys and beneath streamside
vegetation. Dead drift these adult imitations through these areas using
a standard dry fly presentation. Little yellow stoneflies, often
referred to as “Yellow Sallies,” can make themselves available
throughout the day all year long, but are most prevalent during the
warmer months of June through August. Trout prey on them hungrily and
voraciously, so don’t be surprised when you feel an aggressive take –
set the hook confidently and with care if you happen to be fishing with
lighter leaders and tippet material!
Little Yellow Stonefly
Little yellow stoneflies (or “Yellow
Sallies”) are relatively small stoneflies that occur with great
regularity and in large numbers in trout waters throughout North
America. These pale yellow to light brown crawling nymphs are widely
distributed throughout rivers and streams, and this broad distribution
makes the species and important staple of any North American trout’s
seasonal diet. During the larval stage, which commonly lasts about 1
year, little yellow stoneflies spend the balance of their time using
their slender, but strong legs, and low center of gravity to crawl or
“creep” about the rocky bottoms of small to large rivers and spring
creeks with moderate to fast flow rates. As nymphs, little yellow
stoneflies display long and slender tails and antennae and can
sometimes display complex patterns along their pale yellow to brown
backs. As winged adults, these insects take on a creamy yellow or milky
straw color and boast the flat wings common to all adult stoneflies.
The little yellow stonefly follows the life stages of a typical
stonefly life cycle and hatches across North America with great
availability throughout the year with more prolific hatches occurring
during the warmer months of June through August.
Little Yellow Stonefly Emerger Life Stage
During
its emerger life stage, these crawlers are most commonly found in the
medium to fast water of riffles and higher energy current seams. Prior
to and during a hatch, these relatively small and slender emergers can
also be found in low energy backwaters, eddys, and other shallow
streamside environments, especially as emergence approaches. Little
yellow stonefly nymphs thrive among the cool, well-oxygenated water of
rocky riffles so look to the slower water adjacent to these areas for
good action. These nymphs are most vulnerable to trout when they are
either swept up by strong currents or when they leave their rocky homes
to hatch into winged adults from the safety of the shoreline. Their
swimming ability is quite weak and these emerging nymphs expose
themselves by making adventurous crawling trips away from safety just
before emergence and subsequent on-land hatching. Little yellow
stoneflies are an important hatch on many rivers in North America.
These easily distinguishable nymphs can become available to trout
throughout the waters of North America on a year-round basis and
commonly hatch from morning to evening hours.
Little Yellow Stonefly Adult Life Stage
After
migration to the foliage and rocks of the shoreline, little yellow
stoneflies shed the remainder of their nymphal shucks and quickly find
mates under the protective cover of streamside vegetation. The
fertilized females will then fly clumsily above the water, quickly
darting to the surface to deposit eggs, making themselves easy targets
for aggressive surface-feeding trout. Many adults will also fall from
the safety of streamside trees, weeds, and other vegetation. These
unfortunate bugs wind up in swept along with the main current and will
often collect in the slower water of eddys and along deeper cut banks.
Little yellow stoneflies in their adult stage are easily spotted as
they are quite active during and after their streamside mating time.
Adults of the species take on a distinctive pale yellow coloration and
boast barred antennae and tails as well as large darkly colored eyes.
About the Tyer: Randall Kaufmann
Randall
Kaufmann is considered by many to be in the absolute top tier of modern
fly tyers. He began developing his skills at an early age while fishing
the high altitude streams and lakes of California’s Sierra and the
Rocky Mountains of Wyoming. Kaufmann’s light-hearted, cerebral, and
kind nature helped him make many friends during his fly fishing
journeys through the American West. Tying flies was a way for Randall
and his fishing compatriots to connect, bonding over the long
afternoons and evenings of perfecting tying techniques and dreaming up
new flies for the next time on the river. Randall has authored and
published a number of fly tying and fly fishing books and manuals,
offering the world’s fly anglers a window on his extensive vault of fly
fishing knowledge and lore. Kaufmann has also licensed several of his
very best fly patterns to Umpqua Feather Merchants, the world’s leading
producer of top quality hand tied flies. As a co-owner of Kaufman’s
Streamborn, Inc. and life-long angling devotee, Randall continues to
provide the fly fishing industry with tremendous products and some of
the very best information available.
Leland on Umpqua
In
1972 a man named Dennis Black and his fly tying skills found themselves
in high demand. Mr. Black, then a professional production fly tyer, was
famous in the industry for his unsurpassed skill and speed with
whipping up tremendously beautiful and precisely constructed flies. It
wasn’t long until this young fly tying superstar realized that he ought
to take his consistent approach to quality to the next level. Shortly
after this realization, a small army of fly tyers had banded together
to support Mr. Black’s vision. With the likes of Dave Whitlock, Jack
Dennis, and Andy Puyans, Mr. Black was officially in business.
Dennis
Black’s new company Umpqua Feather Merchants quickly extended its reach
and fly production capabilities with expansion into India, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand, where the world’s first and full blown “fly tying
factories” were built. Since those early days, only the highest
standard of excellence has marked Umpqua and this commitment to quality
and efficiency continues to spur the company forward. Dennis Black’s
innovative vision for “fly production” has truly revolutionized how the
fly industry operates and has ultimately made the majority of
production flies better. From the first “royalty system” for rewarding
the most creative professional fly tyers to streamlining production
systems and offering a range of other products, Umpqua Feather
Merchants just seems to “do it all.”
Today, Umpqua Feather
Merchants is without a doubt the world’s best and most prolific
supplier of hand tied fly fishing flies as well as fly tying hooks and
materials, and they recently got better! Umpqua’s brand new, state of
the art headquarters in Louisville, Colorado marks another paradigm
shift in the way fly tying business is done. From its vast warehouse to
its specially designed inventory management and tracking system, Umpqua
is poised to continue its energetic trajectory and lead the way for the
next generation of flies and fly tyers.
Umpqua on Umpqua
"As
you may or may not know, we're the largest producer of quality
hand-tied flies in the world. We also make available through your local
fly shop a wide array of the finest fly-tying hackle and Tiemco hooks.
At
Umpqua we offer everything the angler needs to a have a first class
fishing experience. (Everything that is, but the water and the fish.)"
Umpqua on Dennis Black and the “Obvious Quest”
“The
idea first took shape in the hands of our founder, Dennis Black, back
in 1972. As a fast and facile professional fly tyer, Dennis was known
for his skill and speed at producing hundreds of dozens of flies each
year for the larger mail order houses. But he was also quick to realize
how fast the demand for excellent flies would outstrip the abilities of
cottage industry types like him.
The Obvious Quest: To create
excellent flies in sufficient supply – without sinking his standards.
In response, Dennis developed (with characteristic care) a methodical
plan: First, he enlisted the tying expertise of the likes of Dave
Whitlock, Jack Dennis, Andy Puyans and others, to help him set the
standard of excellence for Umpqua flies.
Next, Dennis
established the first of what would eventually be five separate
fly-tying “factories,” first in India, then in Sri Lanka, and finally
in Thailand. The primary focus at each of these factories was on
producing the very best fishing flies possible, constructed of the very
best materials available. From the beginning, the quantity of flies
produced was secondary to the quality and excellence of each fly
pattern. These high standards were assured by the personal involvement
of the fly designers themselves, and by the ever-increasing skill,
imagination and creativity of the Umpqua production fly tiers. Today,
you will find no flies more skillfully tied than those available from
Umpqua Feather Merchants.
Finally, Dennis created a system of
royalty payments, to reward professional tyers like Whitlock, Lefty
Kreh, Randall Kaufman, Larry Dahlberg, and Bob Popovics for uniquely
good patterns.
The Result: Today, Umpqua produces umpteen
thousand dozen flies, from micro-scopic midge imitations to the huge
patterns favored by marlin and sailfish. And the "Umpquality" – you’ll
see for yourself.”