The Kaufmann Stone, designed by Randall Kaufmann is a great fly pattern to add to your box. Nice pattern for Salmon and Steelhead here in the Great Lakes region.
This pattern is one that I find very effective on the salmonoids during both the fall and spring runs. I like fishing low light periods and usually present a black Kaufmann stone or some other dark pattern during these times. Last year I had some success using a golden stone as well.
I have used this fly in sizes ranging from size 12 up to a size 4. I like to use the larger flies when the water has some color to it. It will give the fish something to key into other than the thousands of egg flies other anglers are drifting through the runs. I will add rubber legs to the larger flies as well.
This pattern takes a little time to tie and is best tied in a dozen or more. The longest time for me seems preparing and trimming the Turkey feather wing cases.
I do tie this pattern up in some of the new materials for extra flash but for the most part end up tying it in the traditional pattern with traditional materials. I just like to make mine a little more buggy in the body and thorax.
My Recipe:
- Hook: Daiichi 1730 size 12 - 2 (3x long 1x strong with a bent shank) You can also use a TMC 300 or similar
- Thread: Uni 6/0 Iron Grey or Black
- Antennae: Black goose or turkey biot
- Tail: Black goose or turkey biot
- Rib: Black transparent swannundaze - medium
- Wingcase: 3 sections of dark Turkey tail
- Thorax and body: Wapsi Kaufmann Blend in black as it saves my patience.
Fished on a dead drift with no drag this is a hard pattern to beat. Works great when the fish are finnicky. You can easly change the color by substituting the appropriate materials.
