Hi-Vis Adams
The Hi-Vis Adams is a modern variation of the classic Adams, enhanced with a bright fluorescent orange or yellow Antron yarn ball on top of the wing to maximize visibility in broken water or low-light conditions. It retains all the fish-catching effectiveness of the original Adams while giving aging eyes a fighting chance in turbulent pocket water. Fish it exactly as you would a standard Adams — it performs identically but is much easier to track.
- Type
- dry fly (Mayfly)
- Hook sizes
- #12–18
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Dry fly hook #12–18
- thread: Gray 8/0
- tail: Mixed brown and grizzly hackle fibers
- body: Gray muskrat or Superfine dubbing
- wing: Grizzly hen hackle tips with fluorescent orange yarn ball on top
- hackle: Mixed brown and grizzly rooster hackle
Tying steps
- Mount a size 12–18 hook and tie the pattern exactly as the standard Adams.
- After mounting the upright grizzly hen wing, add a small ball of fluorescent orange or yellow Antron yarn.
- Tie the Antron ball directly on top of the wing, leaving it standing upright as a high-visibility indicator post.
- Continue the Adams tying process: mixed hackle tail, muskrat body, brown and grizzly hackle.
- Wind hackles 3–4 turns behind and 2 turns in front of the wings.
- Build a small head; whip finish and apply head cement.
- Apply head cement to the thread wraps at the hook eye only; keep all cement away from the hackle and post.
- Inspect the post from above — it should stand straight up and be visible from 15 feet away in choppy water.
- Check the parachute post is perfectly vertical by viewing from the side — any tilt will cause the fly to spin and twist the tippet during casting.