
Dry · #11 of 129
Adams
Imitates: Generic mayfly adult
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #12-20
- Best Season
- Year-round
- Best Conditions
- Anywhere mayflies hatch — the universal dry fly
- Water Temp
- 50-68°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 5X
How to Rig It
Single dry, or as a hopper-dropper indicator.
How to Present It
Dead-drift over rising fish or as a searching pattern through likely lies.
Why It Works
Gray hackle and grizzly wings mimic the silhouette of nearly any mayfly dun. When you don't know what's hatching, the Adams is right often enough.
History
Leonard Halladay tied it in 1922 in Mayfield, Michigan, for his friend Charles Adams. Has changed almost nothing in 100+ years.
Pro Tip
A Parachute Adams in #16 is the single best 'I don't know what to throw' dry fly ever made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Adams imitate?+
It's a generic mayfly dun — close enough to many species (BWO, PMD, callibaetis) to fool trout when an exact match isn't needed.
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