Because we have been featuring the wonderful tying videos of Tightline Productions for so long, we have the unique opportunity to watch fly patterns develop in the mind of Tim Flagler. Back in 2013, Tim filmed Matt Grobert tying a traditional Isonychia parachute. A year later, Tim experimented with using barred rubber legs on his PMX-inspired Iso Iso Baby. Now, he’s tweaked that idea, using the barred rubber for the tails and adding a foam post for better visibility and flotation in a more-traditionally styled fly.
The result is the Vanilla Iso Parachute, and as usual, Tim’s instructions for tying the pattern will teach you some ingenious methods for controlling and attaching the materials. Tim’s posting method, in particular, takes a lot of the hassle and frustration out of the process. And once you’ve learned how to create this pattern, you can alter the materials to match any mayfly hatch.
Make sure watch Tim’s videos in full 4K resolution. You’ve never seen fly tying look so good.
Vanilla Iso Parachute
Hook: 1X-long dry-fly hook (here, a Dai-Riki #300), size 12.
Thread: Wine, 8/0 or 70-denier.
Post: Soft Foam Parachute Post, size medium.
Tails: Speckled Grey Centipede Legs, size mini.
Body: Dark-brown to burgundy rabbit-fur dubbing.
Hackle: Medium dun or dark dun.
Thorax: Dark-brown to burgundy rabbit-fur dubbing.
Adhesive: Head cement.