Stimulator by Charlie Craven

[@thomasbrooks8112]

Beautifully tied, Stimulator! These are such versatile flies. You mentioned them as a great dry dropper fly, which I use it for almost always.

[@Unpescador1]

WOW! I have been fly fishing and tying my own flies for well over 50 years. I have guided trips on the San Juan, Pecos, Green, Dolores, South Platt and more rivers than I can count. Not to name drop (but I must😁). I have had the opportunity to take lessons in that time from Jack Dennis, Dave Whitlock, Gary Borger and Lee Wulff among others. We all develop our own way of doing things, but sometimes have a hard time communicating WHY we do it one way and not another. In this respect Charlie, in my books, rates right up there with the best of the best. I have watched most of his videos, and with few exceptions I can say I have tied all the flies he has presented, and with no exception can I say I didn't learn something from the way he ties them from the way I did (past tense). Whether easier or just ,down right better, these KZbin tutorials are BRILLIANT! If only I could get used to the left handed perspective.😜

[@jeffcowles5328]

‘Just act like there’s no hackle on there’ - easy for you to say Charlie! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge with hacks like me.

[@moranbow]

Feel like I just hit the lottery! Clear concise instructions. Thank you

[@brianfeeney9493]

YO YO CHARLIE !!! Thank You for Sharing this FANTASTIBLE STIMA-DINGA-LICIOUS Bug 🐛 ................. Exceptional Educational Tutorial Charlie ........ These will float the Magnificent Rivers of N.W. Michigan this Season !!!!! ✨🎣💫

[@richardjones2129]

Nice fly Charlie. Thank you for making this video and the tips were good tips to follow tying this fly. God Bless n Fish on!

[@dericksaba9912]

This is the ABSOLUTE BEST one I have seen Charlie you are a true artist!!!

[@zafotbeeb]

One of the key points is the hook choice. Using a 2X long down eye light wire hook will improve the hooking characteristics of this fly to a very high degree. I have tied upwards of 300 dozen of this pattern every year through out the 90's. This is a superb demonstration of how to tie this fly pattern.

[@rotaryflytyingdotcom]

Just ordered my Kindle copy of "Charlie's Fly Box" - fun to watch you tie on the tube and fun to tie along with you in the books when I'm at camp off the grid.

[@joeduca8582]

Great tutorial Charlie, I learned something at every step. No wasted moves or materials, and you explain every step and why you do it. Thanks! 👍😎

[@edcarson2480]

first time to see this fly made!!!! I will be making this for my area in south mississippi thank you!!!!

[@DrJohn493]

A real work of art any trout should appreciate.

[@tonycampanelli2860]

Very impressive Charlie. You have given me the confidence to try this pattern. I appreciate it!

[@ricrubeo1265]

Outstanding job Charlie!! I appreciate the way you explain technique from start to finish.

[@wingman8447]

I’ve been using this recipe for a few years now. The colors work and the dry fly hook is the way to go. For my area the #14 works the best. A little tricky that small but it works. Thank you Charlie.

[@strokernut]

Thanks for fantastic tutorials and great customer service. I bought several high quality flies from you shop

[@strokernut]

Your. Typos, am I right?

[@MrThebutlerdidit]

So good at teaching telling why is everything to me great tying

[@erdymt]

Great tutorial. I have tied the Stimulator before and really enjoyed the process and outcome. You provided some great tips that I can incorporate. Thank you

[@saxon6749]

Guy is a goddamn legend.

[@mholzman50]

Thanks Charlie, certainly one of the better tutorials I've tied to for sure. Great fly too, not as intimidating as it appears but alot of that is the teacher. Thanks again....I'll be back.

[@975ems]

Can't wait to give this fly a try!

[@LanceDean1981]

Beautiful!!!

[@jonc.5310]

Masterful

[@steveyates1136]

I thought I knew how to tie a stimulator until I watched this.

[@Jake-sz2ij]

Awsome this is a beautiful fly🖒

[@chrisbukowski9434]

all ways outstanding

[@bobfowler9522]

Been a while but is this tied in other color combinations?

[@sniperfreak223]

Yes, it can be tied in any color combination you want, but yellow, olive and black are the most popular

[@conleyman00]

the technique on the wing is great for distributing the hair around the hook. Definitely helpful. Do you find this works to greater/lesser degree with other types of hair? I use designated "stimulator hair" for mine which seems a bit lighter and less able to spin around the shank under tension like this...

[@ajgretillat1807]

I enjoy making this fly. My main issue is the amount of elk hair used at both points. The fish loved my fly but I would like to make a cleaner looking fly. Thanks

[@spikeconley]

Just out of curiosity, what happens at 9:45?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Probably editing...I’m guessing it was me stacking the hair again and again, lol

[@conorlinehan4434]

These are the types of flies I would 100% rather buy then tie myself lol.

[@skylerhardman1227]

I'm just curious as to why you don't like the bend in the 200R? I'm indifferent but I was curious as to your thoughts.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Skyler Hardman I just found this question so I apologize for the long delayed response. The 200, particularly in smaller sizes and on a fat bodied fly like this, just doesn’t have enough gap by the time the tail is tied down and the body is dubbed. The 5212 or 2312 are wider gaped hooks and end up with more gap after the process. The long point of the 200 opens up a little too easily on the smaller hooks but then again, I tend to drag fish in rather than play them delicately.

[@ttrengrove]

The originator was Jim Slattery in 1980.

[@bradygwiggle3813]

Where do you get most of you materials?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Brady Gwiggle Charlie’s Fly Box ;)

[@jonzoppi1394]

Pp

[@prospectort5454]

Hating on the 200R is an instant cause for stopping watching your video!

[@edsauer2889]

I wouldn't go THAT far Prospector T. Click off this video and miss 17 minutes of excellent fly tying. But I do agree with you that 200R (or other natural bend) is the correct Stimi hook.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Oh come on, man! I didn’t say YOU can’t like it, I just said I don’t!