The Parachute Adams is one of the most versatile and effective dry fly patterns for fly fishing, imitating a variety of insects, including mayflies. Its parachute design allows it to land delicately on the water and float well. Here’s a step-by-step guide to tying a Parachute Adams fly:
Materials Needed:
Hook: Standard dry fly hook, sizes 12-18.
Thread: Gray or black 8/0 or 6/0.
Tail: Mixed grizzly and brown hackle fibers.
Body: Gray superfine dubbing (Adams gray).
Wing Post: White calf body hair, poly yarn, or antron.
Hackle: Grizzly and brown hackle.
Head: Thread finish.
Tying Instructions:
Step 1: Start the Thread
Secure your hook in the vise.
Start your thread near the eye of the hook and wind it back to the hook bend, creating an even thread base.
Step 2: Tie in the Tail
Clip a small amount of grizzly and brown hackle fibers and mix them together.
Tie in the tail at the hook bend, with the fibers extending about the length of the hook shank.
Trim the excess fibers and wrap the thread back toward the bend.
Step 3: Create the Wing Post
Take a small clump of white calf hair (or poly yarn/antron) and tie it in just behind the hook eye.
Make sure the wing post stands upright by wrapping the thread both around the base of the wing post and up the post itself to secure it.
Trim the top of the wing post to your desired height—roughly the length of the hook shank.
Step 4: Dub the Body
Apply gray superfine dubbing to your thread.
Wrap the dubbing around the hook shank from the tail to the base of the wing post, creating a tapered body.
Step 5: Prepare and Tie in the Hackle
Select one grizzly and one brown hackle feather. The feather barbs should be about 1.5 times the hook gap in length.
Tie the hackle in just behind the wing post with the shiny (concave) side of the feather facing you. Secure both hackles in at the base of the post.
Step 6: Wrap the Hackle
Pull the hackle fibers up and wrap the hackle around the base of the wing post (not the hook shank), working your way down the post with 3-5 turns.
Once you reach the desired hackle density, tie off the hackle with a few thread wraps at the base of the wing post.
Step 7: Whip Finish the Head
Pull the wing post and hackle fibers back slightly, then wrap your thread at the head of the fly to form a smooth, neat head.
Whip finish and trim the thread.
Optionally, add a small drop of head cement to secure the thread wraps.
Your Parachute Adams is now ready! This fly can be fished in various conditions, making it a staple in any fly box. Let me know if you need any further instructions or tips!
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