Adams Parachute Dry Fly

The most recognizable dry fly pattern of all time.

The Adams is an attractor pattern that suggests many mayflies. The parachute version is easier to tie, lands more softly, and is more visible than traditional hackled versions.

Materials

Hook: Size 12-18 dry fly hook Thread: Black 6/0 (70 denier) Tail: Grizzly and brown mixed hackle fibers Body: Grizzly and brown dubbing mix (or muskrat dubbing) Wing post: White calftail or poly yarn Hackle: Grizzly and brown mixed, wound parachute style

Why It Works

The Adams is a “generalist” mayfly imitation:

• Gray color suggests many mayfly species
• Mixed hackle creates lifelike movement
• Parachute style sits low in the water like a real mayfly

Step-by-Step

1. Thread Base

1. Place hook in vise
2. Start thread behind the eye
3. Wrap to the bend and back to the starting point
4. Create a smooth thread base

2. The Tail

1. Select grizzly and brown hackle fibers
2. Mix them together (roughly equal amounts)
3. Measure: tail length = hook shank
4. Tie in on top of the shank
5. Length should be about ½ hook shank

3. The Wing Post

1. Cut a small clump of calftail or poly yarn
2. Length should be about 2 hook gaps tall
3. Tie in on top of the hook shank
4. Stand it up straight
5. Wrap thread in front of post to hold it vertical
6. Wrap thread up the post to create a foundation
7. Wrap back down to the hook shank

4. The Tail and Body Section

1. Wrap thread to the tail tie-in point
2. Build a slight taper toward the bend
3. Wrap forward to the post

5. The Body

1. Apply dubbing to your thread (sparingly!)
2. Twist to create a tapered noodle
3. Wrap forward, creating a slightly tapered body
4. Stop at the wing post
5. The body should be slender

6. Preparing the Hackle

1. Select one grizzly and one brown hackle
2. Strip off the fluffy fibers at the base
3. Key trick: Lay the feathers together, stems aligned
4. Treat them as one feather

7. Tying in the Hackle

1. Lay the hackle feathers against the wing post
2. Tie them in at the base of the post
3. The shiny side should face you
4. Tips should point upward

8. Wrapping the Hackle

1. Grab both hackle feathers with hackle pliers
2. Wrap down the post in a spiral
3. Make 3-4 wraps, working downward
4. Each wrap should be lower than the last
5. Tie off at the base of the post
6. Trim excess hackle

9. The Head

1. Wrap thread to create a small head
2. Whip finish
3. Add a drop of cement

Pro Tips

Post Material Options

• Calftail: Traditional, easy to work with
• Poly yarn: Highly visible, floats forever
• Antron: Adds sparkle
• CDC: More natural, harder to work with

Hackle Selection

• Dry fly quality hackle with stiff fibers
• Grizzly and brown in similar sizes
• Feather length should wrap 3-4 times down the post

Body Options

• Dubbing: Traditional, buggy
• Thread body: Slimmer, faster to tie
• Quill body: More realistic segmentation

Visibility

For difficult light:

• Use bright post material (orange, pink)
• Add a small drop of paint to the post
• Consider a “pink lady” variation

Common Problems

Post leans: Your thread wraps aren’t supporting it properly.

Body too thick: Use less dubbing - keep it slender.

Hackle wraps messy: Take your time and space them evenly.

Post too tall: It should be about 2 hook gaps high.

Color Variations

While the traditional Adams is:

• Grizzly & brown hackle
• Gray body

Popular variations include:

• Female Adams: Red or yellow body
• Para Adams: Purple or chartreuse body for visibility
• Gray Adams: All grizzly hackle

Size Guide

• Size 12: Larger water, early season
• Size 14: All-around choice
• Size 16: Standard mayfly size
• Size 18: Trico, BWO hatches
• Size 20: Small, selective trout

Fishing the Adams Parachute

Presentation

• Dead drift: The most common method
• Mend immediately: Eliminate drag
• Long leader: 12-15 feet for spooky fish

When to Use

• Mayfly hatches: Works when trout are rising
• No hatch: Prospecting with confidence
• Spinner falls: Great for evening fishing

Rigging

• Single dry fly: Standard approach
• Dropper nymph: 18-24 inches below the Adams
• Dry-dropper: Adams with small nymph below

Why Parachute Style?

Advantages over traditional hackle:

1. Easier to tie: No hackling over the body
2. Lands softer: Spooks fewer fish
3. More visible: Post is easy to see
4. Sits low: Like a real mayfly on the water
5. Floats well: Post keeps the fly riding high

Troubleshooting

Fly spins: Hackle is uneven or post is off-center.

Won’t float: Post is too thin or hackle is too short.

Hard to see: Use bright post material or larger size.

Body unravels: Make sure thread wraps are secure.

The Adams System

Always carry Adams parachutes in:

• Size 12 (early season, larger water)
• Size 14 (standard)
• Size 16 (mayfly time)
• Size 18 (small hatches)

This is your “confidence fly” - when in doubt, tie on an Adams.

The Adams Parachute has caught more trout than any other dry fly. Master this pattern and you’ll always have a fly that will catch fish.