Information about Parachute & Shuttlecock flies
The body of a parachute fly sits temptingly “in” the surface film, held there by the parachute hackle.
Shuttlecock are a modern fly whose body hangs temptingly just under the surface film
Klinkhammer Extreme
Availablity:
Flybox Code:3066
Hook Sizes: 14
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
An excellent modern fly whose body hangs temptingly just under the surface film using the natural buoyancy of six CDC feathers.
Para Black Gnat
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2536
Hook Sizes: 12, 14, 16, 18
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
The naturals land on the water either after mating or are blown there, so the trout young and old are used to seeing this 'pattern' float by!
The fly can be fished static or on a varied retrieve via a floating line.
My favourite it to cast to a rising trout or cast upstream into a feed channel.
However, it is often a good searching pattern when no surface activity is evident.
Parachute Adams
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2013
Hook Sizes: 12, 14, 16
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
This is brilliant variation of the Adams dry fly and is preferred by many anglers to the traditional Adams.; and fast becoming a modern classic.
The fly can be fished static or on a varied retrieve via a floating line.
It is often the best searching pattern when no surface activity is evident.
My favourite style is to cast to a rising trout ;however if cast upstream into a feed channel and watch your para Adams gliding down be prepared for an exciting take.
Parachute Greenwell's Glory
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2346
Hook Sizes: 14, 16
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
This is brilliant variation of the Classic 'Greenwell's Glory' dry fly and is preferred by many anglers to the traditional; and is fast becoming a modern classic.
The fly can be fished static or on a varied retrieve via a floating line.
My favourite it to cast to a rising trout or cast upstream into a feed line.
Parachute Olive Dun
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2347
Hook Sizes: 12, 14, 16
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
This is brilliant variation of the Olive Dun dry fly and is preferred by many anglers to the traditional; and is fast becoming a modern classic.
Cast to a rising fish or to watch your para olive dun gliding gently down a feeding lane is what dry fly fishing is about- breath taking.
The fly can be fished static or on a varied retrieve via a floating line.
It is often the best searching pattern when no surface activity is evident.
Shuttlecock Black
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2372
Hook Sizes: 12, 14
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
Proven modern fly whose body hangs temptingly just under the surface film using the natural bouancy of CDC feathers.
Shuttlecock Fiery Brown
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2374
Hook Sizes: 12, 14
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
Proven modern fly whose body hangs temptingly just under the surface film using the natural bouancy of CDC feathers.
Shuttlecock Fiery Claret
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2375
Hook Sizes: 14
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
Proven modern fly whose body hangs temptingly just under the surface film using the natural bouancy of CDC feathers.
Shuttlecock Hare's Ear
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2371
Hook Sizes: 12, 14
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
Proven modern fly whose body hangs temptingly just under the surface film using the natural bouancy of CDC feathers.
Shuttlecock Olive
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2373
Hook Sizes: 12, 14
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
Proven modern fly whose body hangs temptingly just under the surface film using the natural bouancy of CDC feathers.
Shuttlecock Orange
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2376
Hook Sizes: 14
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
Proven modern fly whose body hangs temptingly just under the surface film using the natural bouancy of CDC feathers.
Shuttlecock Red
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2370
Hook Sizes: 12, 14
Note: You can alter a hooksize or fly after adding it to your basket.
Proven modern fly whose body hangs temptingly just under the surface film using the natural bouancy of CDC feathers.
Beige Buzzer CDC
Availablity:
Flybox Code:762
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
A great fly when trout are on top taking hatching buzzers.
Black Holo-flex Hammer
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1692
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Black Holo-flex hammer is a stillwater pattern which comes into its own during hatches of black buzzers, developed over the last few years to fulfil requirements for certain fishing conditions. The first adaption I made from the original was to replace the peacock herl thorax with a dubbed one. This was done for two reasons, firstly to give a more ‘buggy’ appearance, and secondly, to speed up the tying process by removing the necessity for a second whip finish included in the original.
Black Lighthouse
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2379
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
Developed as a specialist stillwater dry and used with success.
Brown Gulpar Special
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1946
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Brown Gulpar Special is one of a series of useful emerger style dry flies that can be adapted to many species by changing the body and or hackle colour
CDC ParaDun
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1189
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
This is a great dry fly for Arthurs Lake during the three month long mayfly season. It is an easy fly to tie, but I hate tying it because in my early days of guiding I tied so many of these flies- often late into
the night in preparation for the next days guided fishing. I have so much faith in this fly for mayfly feeders on Arthurs Lake, that when we are using two dry flies on one line, I attach two CDC ParaDuns. This fly combines a few useful attributes: firstly fish love to eat it; secondly the CDC floats high and is easy for the angler to see; and thirdly the body of the fly sits mostly below the surface of the water like a vulnerable emerger. If you have ever watched a dun slowly squeeze itself
from it's nymph shuck in the skin of the water, you will know what I mean by vulnerable!
The CDC ParaDun is tied to represent a highland dun. During some dun hatches we will not get a single refusal using this fly, even when the water is flat calm. On other days we will get refusals, but a correctly placed CDC ParaDun normally brings those big Arthurs Lake browns undone. During huge dun hatches when our fly is one in a hundred, we give it a short pull as a fish approaches, this will normally result in the trout charging and hammering the fly- sometimes the thrill of the trout's
charge results in an over exuberant strike and a break off!
Comments By Brett Wolf who owns and operates Blue Lake Lodge, a luxury fishing lodge on the shores of Arthurs Lake, Tasmania's most productive wild brown trout fishery. There is a huge self sustaining population of fish in Arthurs Lake, mostly in the 2-3 pound category with some 4-5 pounders thrown in. The fly fishing on Arthurs Lake is centred around prolific mayfly hatches,
midge hatches, and v
Chirio Clink
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2056
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Chirio Clink is an admirable example of a parachute pattern.
CJ's Para Midge Olive
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2131
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
Flexi Hamer
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1600
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
I have found the use of Flexi Floss as a body on this style of fly works well, it let’s the body of the fly sink bellow the surface film whilst the Thorax stays afloat trapped above or in the surface film, fished on a dead drift with the occasional twitch, this way of presenting the fly can have dramatic results.
Gun Butt
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2815
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
A pattern created as a 'special' for stillwater competitions, and has proved very successfull for competition anglers and one the rest of us fly fishers enjoys the benifits of.
Hare's Ear Para Emerger
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1775
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Hare's Ear Para Emerger for faster water
Hatching Midge Pupa
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1813
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
John Goddard's Hatching Midge Pupa is one of the original flies designed to imitate the natural midge pupa that hangs motionless in or below the surface film.
Hi Vis Par Caddis Tan
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2127
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
JC's Para Midge
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1971
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
M Buoy
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2814
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
A pattern created as a 'special' for stillwater competitions, and has proved very successfull for competition anglers and one the rest of us fly fishers enjoys the benifits of.
Mohican May
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2001
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
My Mohican May is a twist on the Oliver Edwards pattern for the most picky of trout
Morgan's CDC Loop Wing Buzzer, Green
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1200
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
Top of the water pattern and this pattern was created after many trout were spooned and the contents closely examined, the buzzers were found to have a distinctly segmented body with alternate translucent and solid bands.
While a silver ribbed body undoubtedly caught trout, it was not perhaps the best imitation. At the vice, experiments of winding mother-of-pearl over a flat, green tinsel produced an electrifying effect. From one angle it appeared to be a greenish silver and from another it was pearlescent.
Dressing this type of body on lighter wire hooks has had the same success with the surface flies this CDC loop dry fly. With the green and black surface flies a thorax of red seal's fur is used
Morgan's Parachute Buzzer, Orange
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1202
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
Top of the water pattern and this pattern was created after many trout were spooned and the contents closely examined, the buzzers were found to have a distinctly segmented body with alternate translucent and solid bands.
While a silver ribbed body undoubtedly caught trout, it was not perhaps the best imitation. At the vice, experiments of winding mother-of-pearl over a flat, green tinsel produced an electrifying effect. From one angle it appeared to be a greenish silver and from another it was pearlescent.
Dressing this type of body on lighter wire hooks has had the same success with the surface flies this parachute hackle dry fly. With the green and black surface flies a thorax of red seals fur is used while the orange and black has a thorax of orange seals fur.
Nimrod Parachute
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1197
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Nimrod parachute dry has been effective casting to rising fish. However its use in rivers has proved highly effective. A fly dressing technique of winding three to four fibres of bleached pheasant tail together with two fibres of dark natural pheasant tail produces a ribbed or segmented effect.
To improve durability, very fine copper wire is used for ribbing. Finally to the rear of the thorax position three turns of red fluorescent gives the effect of blood in the wing buds.
Olive Badger Para Emerger
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1395
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Olive Badger Para Emerger construction lets the fly sit in the surface film as the natural does just before it breaks free of the waters grasp.
Olive Gulpar Special
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1945
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Olive Gulpar Special is one of a series of useful emerger style dry flies that can be adapted to many species by changing the body and or hackle colour.
Quite often trout in stillwaters get into heavy daily hatches of speckle-wing duns (Callibaetis), and set up greedy patterns of feeding. Fish remain near the top, cruise along, rise to take when they encounter a dun in their path, subside slightly and cruise some more until they find the next. At times such trout prowl like sharks, but they are almost always patient on the take itself. Their feeding can be audible; that's why they're called gulpers. Flies tied to fool them when they're feeding this way are called Gulper Specials.
These Gulper Specials have parachute hackles for flotation, and white wings for visibility. At first glance they're not the most imitative flies in the world. But at second glance that body lowered flush into the film is the key characteristic, the trigger. On a stillwater, when trout are cruising near the surface and feeding on speckle wing duns, that's likely about all that needs to get noticed.
By Dave Hughes
Para Emerger Black
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2155
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Para Emerger Black sit with its hackle on the surface film and the body hanging teasingly down.
Parachute Black Gnat
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1393
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
Useful fly to have when small dark naturals are on the water.
Fishes right in the surface film, making a tempting treat.
Parachute Black Spinner
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1191
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
We have some exciting black spinner fishing along the shore right in front of our fishing lodge during the summer months. Warm afternoons and an offshore breeze usually sees 3 pound browns leaping for these dancing mayflies only a few yards from the shore. Depending on the mood of the trout, they will either suck the imitation Black Spinner under so quietly it will leave you wondering if the fish has actually taken your fly. Alternatively they will smash it from the top! Sometimes the adult mayflies will fly en masse to lay their eggs, forming a blanket of spent spinners across the surface of the water. The fishing suddenly becomes very exciting as trout fin along the top shovelling the tasty morsels
down their throats- the problem is deciding which trout to throw your fly at!
There are numerous variations of the Black Spinner fly, the parachute version with which I have had most success is tied by Tasmanian fly tyer Bruce Gibson. This fly is also deadly for chasing trophy brown trout when polaroiding the Western Lakes!
Comments By Brett Wolf , who owns and operates Blue Lake Lodge, a luxury fishing lodge on the shores of Arthurs Lake, Tasmania's most productive wild brown trout fishery. There is a huge self sustaining population of fish in Arthurs Lake, mostly in the 2-3 pound category with some 4-5 pounders thrown in. The fly fishing on Arthurs Lake is centred around prolific mayfly hatches, midge hatches, and various terrestrial insect falls. For 6 months of the fishing season we rarely use anything except a dry fly. Almost all of the fish we catch are sighted before they take the fly.
Blue Lake Lodge is also a short drive from Tasmania's wonderful wilderness fishery- the Western Lakes. During the early season w
Parachute Hackle
Availablity:
Flybox Code:788
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The body sits temptingly in the surface film held there by the parachute hackle.
Parachute Hair
Availablity:
Flybox Code:787
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The body sits temptingly in the surface film held there by the parachute hackle
Parachute With Sight Ball
Availablity:
Flybox Code:789
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The body sits temptingly in the surface film held there by the parachute hackle, the additional sight ball gives the angler extra quality time on the water when the light begings to fade.
ParachuteTups' Indispensable
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1580
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
A modern day parachute style Tups' Indispensable.
More than a passing resemblance to the pale watery and a great fly to try when the naturals are on the water.
Parosol Black Nymph
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2941
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
Developed as a specialist stillwater dry and used with success.
Popular with focused competition anglers.
Paythorn Olive
Availablity:
Flybox Code:2014
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
A multi use dry fly , dressed to imitate any upwing fly
Pig Hammer
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1691
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Pig Hammer I use mainly on rivers, colour tinting the abdomen to match the hatch, developed over the last few years to fulfil requirements for certain fishing conditions. The first adaption I made from the original was to replace the peacock herl thorax with a dubbed one. This was done for two reasons, firstly to give a more ‘buggy’ appearance, and secondly, to speed up the tying process by removing the necessity for a second whip finish included in the original.
Sparkle Para Olive
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1698
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
This has been my first and often only choice of fly during an ephemerid hatch for almost as long as I have been tying flies. It can be devestatingly successful and incredibly quick and simple to tie, two very good points to recommend any fly dressing. I always carry a good selection of different colours and sizes to cover all eventualities, even the dreaded caenis. I have given a lot of these away to fishing companions who were unable to catch when I was, and they invariably give them the right result.
I use a grizzle hackle as it looks more life like, giving a broken colour profile. A black version works well during a midge hatch as well.
Fishing it, is as simple as the dressing, just your normal dry fly methods.
Tan Gulpar Special
Availablity:
Flybox Code:1944
Trade Only
Note: We can manufacture any design to order, subject to a minimum order size of 12 doz with a typical 3 month lead time.
The Tan Gulpar Special is one of a series of useful emerger style dry flies that can be adapted to many species by changing the body and or hackle colour
Quite often trout in stillwaters get into heavy daily hatches of speckle-wing duns (Callibaetis), and set up greedy patterns of feeding. Fish remain near the top, cruise along, rise to take when they encounter a dun in their path, subside slightly and cruise some more until they find the next. At times such trout prowl like sharks, but they are almost always patient on the take itself. Their feeding can be audible; that's why they're called gulpers. Flies tied to fool them when they're feeding this way are called Gulper Specials.
These Gulper Specials have parachute hackles for flotation, and white wings for visibility. At first glance they're not the most imitative flies in the world. But at second glance that body lowered flush into the film is the key characteristic, the trigger. On a stillwater, when trout are cruising near the surface and feeding on speckle wing duns, that's likely about all that needs to get noticed.
By Dave Hughes