Adams Dry

The Adams Dry Fly was created in 1922 by Leonard Halladay of Mayfield, Michigan, at the request of his friend Charles Adams, who wanted a fly for selective trout on the Boardman River. Halladay tied the fly as a general mayfly imitation, combining grizzly and brown hackles for a mottled look that suggests a variety of insects. The Adams quickly gained popularity for its effectiveness during multiple hatches, especially on eastern and midwestern waters. It remains a foundational pattern in American dry fly fishing and has inspired dozens of variations, including the Parachute Adams and Adams Irresistible.

Grease only the tail and rear third of the fly during a spinner fall. This shifts the fly’s balance backward, making it sit flush like a dying spinner.