Purple Haze (Dry)
by Kathy Powers
Purple Haze (Dry)
by Kathy Powers
This fly has its origins in the Bitterroot Valley of Southwestern Montana. It was first tied as an emerger, Quigley cripple style, and has become extremely popular tied as a dry fly. Guides at Frontier Anglers in Dillon swore to me that it takes fish 5 to 1 over the great Parachute Adams! With claims like that, how could any sane and sober person not use it?
Those I bought were size 16. It was late in the season and they were too big to match the Tricos and increasingly diminutive BWOs on the water. Those I subsequently tied in smaller sizes were tremendously successful, fished during Trico and BWO hatches. I hope you have as much success!
| Hook: | Standard dry hook, sizes 16 to 24 |
| Thread: | Purple 6/0 or 8/0 |
| Tail: | Trailing shuck of chocolate brown Z-Lon, 6-8 strands for sizes 16-18 4-6 strands for size 20 and smaller |
| Body: | Purple, using tying thread, silk, acetate floss or Super Floss (see note) |
| Wing: | White parachute post, synthetic material preferred |
| Hackle: | Grizzly tied parachute style |
1. Crimp barb and start thread behind eye.
2. Bring thread back 1/4 to 1/3 shank length and tie in synthetic wing. Post it up parachute style.
3. Tie in trailing shuck (tail) fibers immediately behind parachute post. Wrap thread over it to bend of hook, taking care to keep it on the top of the shank. Trim it so it extends one shank length.
4. Wrap thread or floss forward, creating a smooth slender, tapered body to the parachute post.
5. Tie in grizzly hackle.
6. Form a slightly thicker thorax by winding thread or floss in figure 8s ahead and behind parachute post.
7. Wind grizzly hackle around parachute post, tie off and cut excess.
8. Wrap a small thread head and whip finish.
9. Catch a lunker!
(Note: If you use Super Floss, start your wraps with a lot of tension then relax it gradually as you wrap forward to make the body smooth, slender and tapered. Near the parachute post, relax it a lot more to form the thicker thorax just behind and in front of the post. Tie off floss just where the back of the head will be, before winding the hackle.)
(Each of you club members is welcome and encouraged to submit your favorite fly for publication here. Please include a picture with your words of wisdom about why it's your favorite, how to tie it and how to fish it.)