classic Michigan dry fly · 1978
Jackson's Parachute Hopper
Unverified origin Only the Michigan Dry Flies archive card supports the tyer, place and date; no independent source was found.
History
Bob Jackson of Kalamazoo designed this parachute hopper in 1978. Jackson had tied since 1947, taught tying part time at Kalamazoo College, and summered near Traverse City, where he knew Len Halladay of Adams fame.
It is a slow, many-step tie. Jackson aimed it at August, when the hoppers' colors have faded, which is why the body is a dull yellow or cream.
Materials
| Hook | 3XL (Mustad 9762), size 10 |
|---|---|
| Thread | Tan 6/0 |
| Tail | Mottled turkey fibers |
| Underbody | Deer hair laid along the shank, tips pulled up for the post |
| Overbody | Dull yellow or cream yarn, wrapped under the tail as a small egg sac |
| Rib | Grizzly hackle, palmered and clipped |
| Underwing | Golden pheasant red flank feathers |
| Overwing | Mottled turkey, to the tail tip, cemented |
| Hackle | Brown, parachute, post clipped |
Sources
Know more about this fly's history, or spot a mistake? Send a correction.
No photo yet. Every photo on michfly is of a fly tied for the site, so they're added a few at a time.
Original recipe cards for many Michigan patterns are kept at the Michigan Dry Flies archive, built by the late Tom Deschaine.