Video: How to Tie a Tiny Parachute Adams (with a Twist!)


If you struggle with tiny flies, Tim Flagler has some great tips for you.

The Parachute Adams is among the more popular dry-fly patterns for fly fishermen the world over, and it is often a “go-to” fly for those situations when you want to fish a fly with confidence. The secret to its success is that the fly seems to imitate a broad spectrum of mayflies, plus the post makes the fly visible, even in low light. When I am not sure what’s hatching on a given stream, the Parachute Adams and the Elk-Hair Caddis are my two first choices, almost every time. And even when you do know what’s hatching but don’t have anything to match the naturals, a Parachute Adams will often do the trick.

But especially in fall, the mayflies on the water can be really small, which is a problem for those of us with fat fingers and a low tolerance for frustration. Tying small patterns of any kind is a pain, but parachutes are especially tough. In this great video from Tightline Productions,Tim Flagler reveals his secrets to tying a tiny Parachute Adams, and he makes it look easy. Among the tricks on display are how to make a perfect tail of mixed hackle fibers, how to make an appropriate-size post, and how to attach a pair of small hackles and keep them out of the way until you need them. These are techniques you can use on any small patterns. Go whip up a few of these, and tie one on when you see autumn blue-winged olives coming off.

          Tiny Parachute Adams
          Hook: Standard dry-fly hook (here, a TMC 100), size 22.
          Thread: Olive, Danville Flymaster 6/0.
          Tail: Brown and grizzly hackle fibers.
          Wing post: White poly yarn, 1/4 strand.
          Hackle: Brown and furnace hackle.
          Adhesive: Zap-A-Gap.
          Body: Adams gray Superfine dubbing.
          Head: Tying thread.
          Tools: Hackle gauge.

7 thoughts on “Video: How to Tie a Tiny Parachute Adams (with a Twist!)”

  1. Great instructional video. Actually managed to tie a few of these parachute adams and plan on fishing em on some NW streams this year. Thanks.

  2. I used the video to tie some also. But in the not so distant future Im going to need a really big magnifying glass to be able see them

  3. Great video and a must have pattern for fishing the Bighorn River. We fish the size 22 Parachute Adams for Blue Winged Olives, Midges and Pseudo’s. We always tie this fly with a black post, as well as with the white post so we can use it in any light condition. The black post is best when there is a lot of glare on the water.

  4. As always, I seek the Orvis video regarding how to tie a fly.

    As always, I seek the Orvis video when refreshing my memory regarding tying a fly. The explanation
    is always clear, thorough and sharp. They often offer shortcuts or a new twist to solving a complicated
    problem. Thank you for offering these. I have used two Orvis fly rod outfits for many years as well as
    additional gear and have found them most satisfactory.

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