How to Tie the Stimulator Dry Fly | Step by Step guide

Fly Tying

Feb 3

The Stimulator is a versatile dry fly that imitates stoneflies, caddisflies, and even hoppers, making it a must-have in any fly box. Follow these steps to tie your own high-floating, durable version of this classic pattern.

Step 1: Secure the Hook and Start Thread

Place a long-shank curved hook (size 10, 200R) in your vise at a slight angle.
Start your brown 10/0 Veevus thread about two to three eye lengths behind the eye.
Snip off the tag end and wrap the thread back to the start of the hook bend.

Step 2: Tie in the Tail

Cut a small clump of deer hair (Stimulator patch preferred), removing any fuzzy fibers.
Use a stacker to align the tips.
Measure the tail to about the length of the hook gap and tie it in with loose pinch wraps, gradually tightening.
Trim excess hair at an angle and clean up the thread wraps.

Step 3: Add Ribbing Wire

Secure a section of extra-small gold wire along the side of the hook.
Wrap the thread forward to bind the wire in place, stopping just before the tail.

Step 4: Create the Abdomen

Apply orange dry fly dubbing to the thread, forming a thin tapered noodle.
Wrap the dubbing forward, creating an even taper until about two-thirds up the hook shank.

Step 5: Hackle the Abdomen

Select a brown dry fly hackle (two sizes smaller than the hook, approx. size 14).
Strip the base fibers and tie in the hackle perpendicular to the hook.
Palmer the hackle down the abdomen in even wraps.
Counter-wrap the gold wire forward, securing the hackle while wiggling it to avoid trapping fibers.
Helicopter off the wire and trim excess hackle.

Step 6: Tie in the Wing

Cut a larger clump of deer hair for the wing, removing fuzz with a comb.
Stack the tips and remove any broken fibers.
Measure the wing length to extend halfway into the tail.
Tie in with two loose wraps, then secure with tighter wraps.
Trim the excess at an angle and clean up the head.

Step 7: Add Thorax and Front Hackle

Tie in a slightly larger grizzly hackle (approx. size 12).
Apply yellow dry fly dubbing, wrapping it loosely behind the hackle and tapering it toward the eye.
Palmer the grizzly hackle forward in 4-5 wraps.
Secure the hackle with thread, making a few wraps over it before trimming excess.