Flies

KAUFMANN  BLACK  STONEFLY

Origin

Developed by Randal Kaufman of Portland,  Oregon;  dated unknown. We are all probably familiar with his mail order company called Kaufmann’s Streamborn based in Tigard,  Oregon.  They also have retail stores in Tigard, Seattle and Bellevue, Washington.
Randal is not only an innovative fly tier, but an accomplished author as well.  His books include “Fly Tying for Beginners”, “Tying Nymphs”, “Tying Dry Flies” and “Bonefishing”.
His designs can now be found in any number of variations of colors and materials.

Pattern

  • Hook          --  wet fly type – sizes 2 thru 10
  • Thread        --  black size 6/0
  • Tail             --  two black goose biots
  • Abdomen -- dubbing a blend of black angora goat and black bunnytron
  • Rib              --  black Swannundaze over the abdomen
  • Wingcase  --  three sections of black turkey quill
  • Thorax     --  same as abdomen only pick out to make shaggy
  • Antenna     --  two black goose biots

Tying Instructions

  • Pinch down the barb and tie on a base of thread
  • Tie two goose biots at the bend of the hook in a “V” by figure eight wraps of thread
  • Tie on the Swannundaze or copper wire at the bend of the hook and leave there to use later
  • Mix the dubbing together and spin around the hook shank to the middle of the hook
  • Tie on one turkey feather cut in a “V” to the top of the hook
  • Apply a couple more turns of dubbing
  • Tie on the second turkey feather cut in a “V” to the top of the hook
  • Apply a couple more turns of dubbing
  • Tie on the third turkey feather cut in a “V” to the top of the hook
  • Tie two goose biots at the eye of the hook in a “V” by figure eight wraps of thread to for the antenna
  • Apply a couple more turns of dubbing
  • Whip finish the head with thread and cement
  • Pick out some of the dubbing on the thorax area to simulate legs
  • A variation that I use is to add a set of rubber legs under each of the turkey wingcases.  This adds a little more action to the fly.

Flies  Imitated

Black Stone Fly Nymphs

How to fish

Dead drift bumping on the bottom of pocket water and pools.  Note that stoneflies live from one to two years in the water as a nymph before emerging.  When they emerge they crawl onto the bank at night, so it is always best to fish the nymph.

Gary Kutz, Golden State Flycasters, October 2005