Stimulator Pattern

Here are a few pictures of a stimulator pattern that I tied up over the holidays. I first learned to tie this fly last summer, but I will be the first to admit that I still need a lot of practice on this pattern. I won't tell you how long it took me to get this one to look respectable ...

I've included a couple of features in this variation on the stimulator that I quite like. Before I put the wing on the fly, I like to tie in a few strands of flash. I like the way they add a little bit of sparkle to the fly; perhaps a bit of motion too as the fly drifts along. I also add a shield of calf hair in front of the wing. This adds a bit more white to the fly and makes it a bit easier to see on the water.

Hope you like my version of the stimulator. Here's the pattern that I used to tie this fly:

Hook: Daiichi 1270 (or TMC 200R)
Thread: 6/0 Rusty Dun UNI-Thread
Tail: Elk Hair
Body: Rusty Brown Ice Dub
Ribbing: Extra Fine Copper Wire
Body Hackle: Grizzly Hackle
Flash: Pearl Krystal Flash
Main Wing: Elk Hair
Over Wing: White Calf Hair
Thorax: Peacock Black Ice Dub
Thorax Hackle: Grizzly Hackle

I've tied variants of this stimulator pattern with a variety of colors - just have to use one's imagination. I'm sure you'll see some more stimulators posted in the future. They're a fun fly to tie.