A robust brown Kaufmann-style stone with a weighted dubbed body, biot tails and three notched turkey wing pads.
The source index labels one rust-brown Stone Fly Nymph without stating its pattern or materials. This page uses a documented brown Kaufmann Stone as a specific exemplar, combining Phil Rowley’s tying sequence with the Jerry Bartlett collection’s brown material list; it does not claim the index photo is a Kaufmann Stone.
Work through the numbered steps in order, using the materials list and written proportions as your guide.
01
Weight the shank
Lash lead-free wire along the middle of the shank and flatten it to form a broad underbody. Secure both ends with thread ramps.
02
Split the tails
Dub a small ball at the bend. Tie one brown goose biot on each side so the two tails angle away from the hook.
03
Dub and rib the abdomen
Anchor the flat dark-brown rib at the rear. Build a stout, shaggy brown dubbed abdomen only to about the 60-percent point, then spiral the rib forward and tie it off.
04
Prepare three wing pads
Strengthen three turkey-tail slips and cut each to approximately hook-gap width. Fold and notch their tips into shallow V shapes.
05
Stack the thorax pads
Tie the first pad above the back of the thorax. Add brown dubbing, tie a second overlapping pad, add more dubbing and place the third near the front.
06
Add antennae and finish
Tie a goose biot on each side of the eye as diverging antennae, dub a small head behind them and whip finish.
Beyond the bench
On the water.
Present the weighted nymph close to the bottom in flowing water. The broad dubbed body and split biots provide the larger stonefly silhouette.