Several years ago Andy Carlson of Stevensville Montana developed a series of patterns based on the popular Parachute Adams. Of the all the color variations experimented with the most successful and seemingly most unlikely one was the Purple Haze. This fly has become a standard addition to all fly boxes in western Montana. It is used as both a general searcher and during mayfly hatches. The purple color seems attractive to the trout regardless what species of mayfly is hatching. The pattern is now commercially available in several versions. Andy=s original was tied with no ribbing and a body of a material called Wonder Wrap which is basically an elastic floss. A version used by John Lazar utilizes a dubbing obtained from Fly Tyer=s Dungeon (www.flytyersdungeon.com) and a rib. This version has proven successful on the Bitterroot River. It appears that the body color is the “secret” to the fly.

Hook : Dry fly; #10 – #20

Tail : Deer or elk body hair

Body : Purple

Rib (optional) : Pearl Krystal Flash

Wing : White calf body hair – tied as a post

Hackle : Grizzly and brown – mixed – tied parachute

Fly tied by John Lazar