
Parachute Adams
The ultimate searching dry fly. The parachute design sits flush in the film and is visible from above. Works during almost any mayfly hatch.
🪶 Ready to tie this?
This pattern needs 6 materials. Sign up free to check which ones you already own.
Materials
Standard dry fly hook, size 12-20
Gray 8/0
Grizzly and brown hackle fibers, mixed
Adams gray superfine dubbing
White calf tail or poly yarn
Grizzly and brown rooster hackle, parachute style
How to Tie the Parachute Adams
- 1
Step 1
Secure a dry fly hook in the vise. Start thread 1/3 back from the eye.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a small clump of white calf tail or a piece of white poly yarn as the parachute post. Post it upright with thread wraps around the base.
Build a small thread dam in front and behind the post to keep it upright. Wrap up the post 5-6 turns to create a stable base for the hackle.
- 3
Step 3
Wrap thread back to the bend. Mix a few grizzly and brown hackle fibers and tie them in as a divided tail, splayed slightly.
- 4
Step 4
Dub a slim body of Adams gray dubbing from the tail to the base of the wing post.
- 5
Step 5
Select one grizzly and one brown hackle feather sized for the hook. Tie both in at the base of the wing post with the dull sides facing down.
- 6
Step 6
Wrap one hackle around the post base in parachute style (horizontal wraps), working downward for 3-5 turns.
- 7
Step 7
Wrap the second hackle color in the same manner, filling in any gaps.
- 8
Step 8
Carefully tie off both hackle tips below the hackle wraps with thread, being careful not to trap hackle fibers.
- 9
Step 9
Dub a tiny amount in front of the wing post if needed for a smooth transition to the eye.
- 10
Step 10
Build a small, neat head, whip finish, and apply a tiny drop of head cement to the thread head only.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbOFlrLqhfg
Credit: Traditional (adapted from Leonard Halladay's Adams)