Tying Flies: Parachute Adams Fly Pattern
Before we get started with our instructions for the Parachute Adams fly pattern , you’ll need the following specialized materials for this dry fly pattern:
Hook – Mustad 94840 Signature R50 94840 Size 12 to 20
Thread – Uni-thread 8/0 Grey or Black
Wing Post – White High Vis or Poly
Tail- dry fly hackle brown and grizzly mixed
Body- Hairline Grey superfine or muskrat dubbing
Hackle – Dry fly grizzly and brown – one each
Fly Tying Instructions for the Parachute Adams Dry Fly Pattern
- Tie on thread near hook eye.
- Tie in your wing with a clump of High Vis or Poly, approximately one-fourth to one- third of the hook shank length behind the eye for the wing post, with tips facing the eye. Start with two or three loose wraps and then add two or three tight ones. This will help hold the wing on top of the hook and not let the material roll around.
- Once secure, hold the wing straight up and make several wraps in front building a dam to hold the wing material straight up. To form the post, hold the wing straight up and wrap your thread clockwise around the wing and up approximately one-eighth inch and down to form the post and base for the hackle. You can add a small drop of head cement to the wing post.
- Cut off excess behind the post at an angle to help form the body.
- Wrap the thread back to the hook bend. Tie in mixed grizzly and brown hackle tips for the tail and secure. (Rem. proportions)
- Wrap thread back to the start of the tail and dub a thin tapered body up to the base of the wing post.
- Tie on one brown and one grizzly dry fly hackle on your post .
(Rem. Proportions, size 14 hackle for a size 14 hook) - Wrap hackle clockwise around the wing post, two wraps up and two wraps down (approximately) and tie off at the base of post. Trim the excess wing to proportion. If you’re using stacked calf hair you can’t cut off the excess.
- Dub the rest of the hook in front of the wing post to the eye. Leave room to form a head.
- Finish with a neat tapered head and secure.
About the Parachute Adams
Mayfly Imitations
The Parachute Adams fly pattern is arguably the most popular and versatile dry fly patterns ever produced. It is used and tied by fly fisherman all over the world. It was created by Leonard Halladay for his good friend Charles Adams. It is meant to imitate many different hatches of mayfly duns.
Different Styles for Tying Flies
Whether you tie the parachute adams fly pattern in the traditional style, thorax style or parachute style, this fly is very productive. Many anglers claim it to be one of the best dry fly patterns ever made.
Correct Sizing
When tying your parachute adams, remember your proportions- matching the size of the hatch you’re trying to imitate is just as important, if not most important. When you have size 16 Blue Winged Olives hatching, you don’t want to cast a size 12 Adams to that rising trout. To fly fisherman SIZE does matter.
Practice Makes Perfect at Tying Flies
Using the same method I have described, you can match or closely resemble the mayflies on your local water. Just change the material and body color. It takes time and practice to perfect the skill of wrapping the hackle around the wing post. If this is your first time trying the parachute, practice the wing and post on a larger hook till you get the hang of it. But, once you go fly fishing with the parachute adams fly pattern and see how nice your fly rides on the water, you’ll be hooked.
So, tie some up and when you’re having a hard time catching that rising fish, tie one of these parachute adams fly patterns onto your fly rod in the right size and you just might get that bent rod and screaming drag all anglers long for when they go fly fishing.
Original Article By Bran Berlin
About The Author
Brad Berlin has been tying flies and fly fishing many of the local streams in the northeast and especially central Pennsylvania for over 20 years. He guides on area streams and the Susquehanna River. Brad teaches classes in fly tying and casting. He enjoys fishing the tributaries of Lake Ontario in the fall.
