Kaufmann's Golden Stonefly Nymph
Fly Tying for Beginners
Classic Vintage Tying Nymph
Randall Kaufmann pioneered these nymph patterns around 1973. The addition of rubber legs to his designs in the early 1990s injected new life into his creations. These patterns come in a variety of colors: brown, olive, tan, golden, and black. Kaufmann primarily fashioned these patterns to mimic the Golden Stonefly (Calineuria californica) and the Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica), which thrive in pristine freestone streams and rivers.
As spring transitions into summer, these nymphs tend to migrate towards the shoreline, often getting swept away in the current. It's at this moment that trout lock onto stonefly nymphs as a delectable food source. Kaufmann's secret lies in the artful blend of dubbing used in his stoneflies, creating an uncanny lifelike quality. These blends are known as Kaufmann Blends and are available in Golden Stone, Brown, and Black.
The Golden Stone, Calineuria californica, is a prominent species throughout the Sierras. These nymphs are noticeably smaller than the Salmonfly, making Kaufmann recommend TMC 300 or TMC 5263 hooks in sizes 8-12. The TMC 200R in these sizes also proves a reliable alternative. Traditionally, wing cases have been made from Turkey Tail sections treated with lacquer, flexament, or fixative to prevent splitting. Personally, I prefer using Swiss Straw. It's durable, easy to work with, and has a natural sheen resembling actual wing cases. Three wing cases cloak the thorax region, with the first positioned to meet the halfway point of the body, and the last placed to allow room for the head.
One component that may pose a challenge to find is the Swannundaze ribbing, which Kaufmann suggested in his earlier works. This synthetic ribbing was popular in the 70s and 80s but has since been supplanted by more stretchable products like V-Rib, D-Rib, or stretch tubing. Given that natural stoneflies have 10 segments on their abdomen, you should wrap the ribbing with closely spaced turns to reveal 6-7 wraps on the lower half of the nymph. Kaufmann recommended Turkey biots for both the antennae and the tails. For tails, Goose biots are a suitable alternative due to their breadth and thickness, resembling natural insects. Tail lengths should approximate the hook gape, which Goose biots easily achieve. Always opt for Turkey biots for antennae. Their slender, supple nature allows for a more accurate imitation of natural insects. Beadheads have also been integrated into this pattern since the 1990s. While this fly is already heavily weighted, potentially negating the need for extra bead weight, it imparts an added degree of flash and attraction, elevating its fishability.
Stoneflies, renowned for their adaptability, thrive in oxygen-rich, unpolluted waters. They serve as an irresistible feast for trout, appearing in various shapes and sizes. While most stoneflies range from sizes 8 to 14, larger specimens are not uncommon. Regardless of the specific species, trout are known to eagerly pursue stoneflies for their substantial size and flavor. The Kaufmann's Stone fly pattern proves to be an excellent replica of these insects.
While it might seem challenging to craft this fly initially, dedicating time to perfecting the dubbing loops guarantees a realistic, effective result. Beyond these loops, the pattern is straightforward and quick to tie, which makes it ideal for creating various-sized versions in batches. Whether you're angling for trout, steelhead, or other aquatic species in rivers, Kaufmann's Stone will deliver exceptional results on the water.
This pattern is versatile and adaptable to various rigs. Its weight makes it suitable for use in a double nymph rig or beneath a dry fly with high buoyancy in a dry-dropper rig. You can tailor the pattern by selecting dubbing that matches the stoneflies found in your local rivers. Crafting it in a range of sizes and colors ensures that this fly remains effective in a variety of situations and throughout the year. Kaufmann's Stone is a universally acclaimed fly pattern that deserves a prominent place in your fly box.
Best colors are Dark (SLF dubbing), Black, brown, golden brown, and tan.
Randall Kaufmann’s stonefly nymphs all feature blends of fur colors, imparting a lifelike quality when viewed underwater.
Hook: TMC 200R-BL #4, sizes 2 to 10
Thre
ad: Yellow 3/0
Underbody: .035 Lead-Free Wire
Tail: Brown Goose Biots
Body: Golden Stone SLF Dubbing
Rib: Medium Brown or Golden Stone D-Rib
Wingcase: Mottled Turkey Wing, lacuered, cut to a "V" shapeapplied in three sections with dubbing in between.
Head: same as body.
Antennae: Tan Goose Biots.
13 сен 2024
