What is an Adams Fly
Adams fly: dry fly pattern currently made to represent many different insects. Leonard Halladay created the Adams in 1922, ever since it is believed by most to be one of the most versatile and effective flies for trout fishing. The Adams is a dry fly, this means it is designed to float on the surface of the water, and is meant to look like an insect floating on the water.
The Adams, like most flies, is typically made with feathers, fur, and thread, and tied in a variety of sizes and colors to match the natural insects found in the fishing area. The traditional Adams fly is usually tied with a dark dark gray body, brown and grizzly for the hackle, brown and grizzly hackle tips for the tail, and a grizzly wing. However, different variations of the Adams fly have been created with different colored bodies, wings, tails and some with synthetic fibers.
The Adams fly is so effective because of its ability to copy a wide variety of insects. Although originally created to mimic caddisflies, with a few tweeks it also copies others like mayflies, and stoneflies. This makes it a great choice for fishing throughout the year wherever you fish. This is one of those flies that you should have in your arsenal because of its reliability.
This fly is easy to cast, which makes it a great choice for both beginner and experienced anglers. The fly is light and airy, which allows it to float easily on the surface of the water. This makes it easy to control the fly's movement, therefore allowing the fly fisher to make precise casts placing the fly exactly where it needs to be.
LEONARD'S ADAMS
Hook: TMC100, sizes 18 to 10
Thread: Black 8/0 (70 denier)
Tail: Golden pheasant tippet fibers, or brown and grizzly rooster hackle fibers
Body: Gray Superfine or a similar dry fly dubbing
Wings: Grizzly hen neck feathers
Hackle: Brown and grizzly rooster neck feathers
FEMALE ADAMS
This the most popular version that is tied and fly fishers use.
Hook: TMC100, sizes 16 to 12
Thread: Black 8/0 (70 denier)
Tail: Brown and grizzly hackle fibers
Egg sac: Yellow Superfine or a similar dry fly dubbing
Body: Gray Superfine or a similar dry fly dubbing
Wings: Grizzly hen neck feathers
Hackle: Brown and grizzly rooster neck feathers
PARACHUTE ADAMS
This pattern floats higher in the water and is more visable when using white for the wing.
Hook: Tiemco TMC100, sizes 20 to 10
Thread: Gray or black 8/0 (70 denier)
Tail: Fine moose body hair, or brown and grizzly hackle fibers
Body: Gray Superfine or a similar dry fly dubbing
Wing: White yarn
Hackle: Brown and grizzly rooster neck feathers
E.C. Greggs Variation
This comes from the book "HOW TO TIE FLIES BY E. C. GREGG"
Hook: TMC 100 16 to 10
Thread: Grey 70 denier
Tail: Golden tippet
Tag: Gold
Body: Grey Wool
Hackle: Brown and grizzly
Wing: Grey Mottled (mallard)
