The Parachute Adams

Can imitate the Callibaetis, Siphlonurus or black drake, Siphlonours occidentalis
or gray drake and sometimes even the Baetis mayfly dun.

         The name Adams brings to mind great dry fly fishing just by the mention of the word. The Parachute Adams is not as popular as the standard version but I think it actually fishes better. Tied with white calf hair or calf tail makes it easier to see in dim light than its famous cousin. The parachute hackle also lets it ride low in the water giving the fish a better view from below. Like the standard Adams, the Parachute Adams tied by an expert is also a work of art that is a great fly to fish. On the South Fork near the Idaho Falls Area, the Parachute Adams is a great fly in the small narrow runs that hold many Browns in the 10" to 12" range. It can be tied in sizes from #12 to #18. Like the standard Adams pattern, This fly should be in your fly box.

Tying Instructions
Hook:
Thread:
Tail:
Body:
Wing :
Hackle:
#12 to #18 dry fly hook
Dark gray or black
Brown & Grizzly hackle mixed
Muskrat under fur
White calf tail or hair
Brown & grizzly dry fly hackle

1.       For the tail select one brown and one grizzly spade hackle from a good quality dry fly neck. Strip or cut off the desired amount of fibers for the tail and tie them in at the bend of the hook. Cover the tail butts with thread making a smooth underbody for the body to be wrapped over.

2.       Cut a small bunch of calf hair or tail hair and even the tips in a stacker. The WING POST will be tied in slightly forward of the point where standard hackle tip wings would be tied in. Tie the hair in on top of the hook with very tight turns of thread. Lift and secure the wing post at an 90 degree angle to the hook. Trim the butts and add a drop of cement.

3.       Dub a tapered BODY to the upright wing post. Prepare and tie in one grizzly and one brown dry fly HACKLE securing them to the wing post and wrap up the post. The hackles should be wrapped down the wing post. Continue dubbing past the wing post to about an eye length behind the eye and tie off. Return the thread to the base of the wing post and wrap the hackles in tight even wraps down the wing post until you reach the body dubbing. Tie in the hackle at the base of the wing post and trim the hackle tips. Make a few more wraps of dubbing to cover up the hackle tie in thread until you are about one-eye length behind the eye. Form a small head, add a drop of cement and you are ready to fish the Parachute Adams.