Parachute Swap

[Rng Spec]

According to the Doc, I am benched from the stream for 8 to 10 weeks (torn ACL). So, since I can not get in any fishing this spring. I was thinking about a favorite Parachute pattern swap. Since there are a lot of parachute patterns and I have lots of time on my hands, the swap will be limited to 25 tiers. Two main conditions will be premissed besides the normal swap rules.

1. The pattern must be a parachute pattern.
2. The tier needs to submit a pattern with the fly.

You only need to submit one recipe though, I will type them onto the computer and email everyone in the swap the patterns the day I mail the flies back out. I don't know about every one else, but 25 pieces of paper floating around will get lost pretty quick on my bench.

I will start the swap with my summer time favorite, the Spun Parachute Damsel. I have only seen one other person with this pattern, Its a goody. Spent one summer day on Duck Fork with my brother in law and a friend with 3 dozen flies, left after several hours because we ran out of flies.

I am going to set a sign up deadline of April 30. A submit deadline of May 15, and hope to have flies back in your hands by May 30.

Enjoy the spring you lucky dogs.

[Fred]

Interesting idea. Unfortunately, I do not tie many flies with parachute posts--unless you consider the RS2 as having a parachute post.

But...that brings me to two questions I have:

What does the parachute post on, for example, a parachute adams represent? Anything? Or, is it just a visibility thing.

Also, many recipes call for calf hair for the post. Can you substitute zelon or antron for that?

[Jason B]

I have used both antron and zelon for a parachute post. You can also use foam. Are you going to accept any parachute terrestrials? I have a parachute pattern that works well but it is a terrestrial pattern. Also, if the swap gets 25 people is that 25 flys each person would have to tie?

[Rng Spec]

I agree with Jason, a post can me made with about anything. I have used hackle, calf tail, antron,foam etc.. Mainly anything that would stand up to form a post. The post on the spun damsel pattern is made from the body material.

To answer Jasons question, yes a terrestrial pattern is fine, any pattern that has a parachute wing or the rezemblance of a parachute wing is accepted. The flies could be attractors, dries, terrestrials, etc..all that matters is that they have a parachute wing.

Each tier would need to tie 25 flies, hence the long time frame I have added for getting the flies in. The main reason I brought this idea forward so early in the season is so that people receiving new patterns could have a little time to try and build new flies from the swap, before they actually need them. Although some dry fly patterns are very useable right now, like a Parachute Blue Wing Olive (PBWO). I have never actually tied one but have heard of them, and that is what we should be looking for, good patterns, that tie easily and are very useful on the water.

[Rng Spec]

To finish answering Freds first question, a post does not actually represent anything, as far as I know, it is mainly used to stabilize the wing and for visibility, similar to a piece of red yarn on a beetle pattern. A post should be able to catch your eye, but not make the pattern look out of place. That's why white calf tail works well, it looks natural, unlike florescent pink or red foam post.

If I was tying a parachute adams as you suggested I would consider using two white hackle tips. The hackle minimizes the post so that it doesn't over power the fly, but the white should be set off by the grizzly hackle that is wrapped around it, to help you see it.

And I wasn't very clear again on numbers, IF we get 25 people signed up each person would need 25 flies.

[Larry S.]

I like the versatility of using Antron for posts. You can tie real tiny parachute patterns with it without all the buildup you get with calftail. Just tie it on top, pull it around underneath the hook and bring the ends back up and form your post or just tie it on top and pull up and form the post.Just be sure to secure it real good and tight so it won't slide around.

Also, I have used orange posts and added a little black to the white antron for visibility in the evening and when up against the glare on the water. Helps me and the fish don't seem to mind.

As a side note Bob Trowbridge who is doing a class in the evenings here in Logan will be doing a seminar on parachutes in Idaho Falls April 19th from 1:00- 4:30pm at their Expo.

[Conehead]

Let's quit talkin' and start tyin. I'm in for my favorite Provo pattern, PMD, quill body parachute.

[cheech]

I have started tying parachutes with turkey flats and have fallen in love with it. They are very manageable, they dont cause a ton of bulk, and they are very durable.
Cheech

[Rng Spec]

Cheech

Cough one up, we need tiers!!

[cheech]

I'm going to tie Biot PMD parachutes. I DUBS!!

[Jason]

PMD Biot Body Parachute Emerger

[Jason]

So, how many swappers do we have so far? Who's all signed up? I want to start tying now.

[Rng Spec]

Sorry I haven't gotten back sooner. I have been layed up for the past week.

So far we only have five tiers signed up. Looking for more, the swap closes on the 30th. I will contact everyone that has signed up with any additions at that point in time. I would like to see some more tiers sign up, but you never know.

[Rng Spec]

Well the parachute swap is essentially a flop.

I will email those that have shown interest in it and see if everyone is still interested in swapping and send the details.