Fly Tying Inventory
Purple Haze
A popular Western attractor parachute dry fly designed by Andy Carlson. Based on the Parachute Adams but with a distinctive purple body that triggers strikes in conditions where standard patterns fail. The parachute-style white calf hair post provides excellent visibility for the angler, while the mixed brown and grizzly hackle ensures good flotation. Particularly effective on Western spring creeks and freestone rivers for all trout species.
🪶 Ready to tie this?
This pattern needs 6 materials. Sign up free to check which ones you already own.
Materials
Standard dry fly hook (TMC 100, Firehole 419), sizes 10-20
Purple 6/0 or 8/0 (also forms part of the body)
Moose body hair or brown hackle fibers, split
Purple thread wraps or purple dubbing
White calf body hair, upright
One brown and one grizzly rooster hackle, parachute style
How to Tie the Purple Haze
- 1
Step 1
Mount hook and start purple thread, wrapping a base to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in moose body hair or brown hackle fibers for a split tail.
- 3
Step 3
Build a smooth purple body by wrapping thread (or dub purple dubbing) forward to the 60% point.
Andy Carlson positioned the wing post at the 60% mark for better balance.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in a small clump of white calf body hair as an upright wing post.
- 5
Step 5
Attach one brown and one grizzly hackle feather at the base of the wing post.
- 6
Step 6
Wrap both hackles parachute-style around the wing post, working downward, 4-5 turns each.
- 7
Step 7
Secure hackle, build a small thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6_bO71nFOk
Credit: Andy Carlson