Parachute Adams Fan Tail
The Parachute Adams is one of the best all-around emerger imitations out there. There are production tactics that make it fast and easy tie. First is the fan tail. This tail not only helps the fly position itself in the film, but also suggest a partially cast nymphal or pupal skin. Start the thread around the mid-point of the shank and wrap to the rear. Build up a small ball of dubbing right at the very start of the bend (Figure 1). Select a small clump of hackle fibers to be used for the tail. Pre-trim them to length. Tie them in a couple of turns ahead of the small ball of thread, and then wrap back tightly to the ball. This will cause the fibers to flare into the fan shape. Wrap forward to lock the fibers firmly in place (Figure 2).
Figure 1. Start the thread near the center of the hook and wrap to the rear. Form a thread ball right at the bend.
Figure 2. Attach the hackle fibers and wrap back tightly against the thread ball to flare them into the fan shape..