The Parachute Midge Cluster is a pattern with a long heritage.
In fact, Jim prefers to think of it more as an early evolutionary
step and is waiting to see what its offspring may produce.
Jim writes, “Often when I am not stocking my fly boxes in
preparation for a trip, my sessions at the vise are experimental
ventures in the manipulation of materials and tying methods. It
was during such a session a couple of years ago that the pattern
came into being. At the time I was thinking of how one might
easily create a spot on the water that would represent a
collection of midges, i.e., a midge cluster. This fly was
the result. It meets many of the criterion that I strive for
when developing a new pattern; a simple, quick, easy tie
utilizing common materials while producing the image I desire.”
Materials list: The Parachute Midge Cluster
Hook: Size 14-16, dry fly.
Thread: Black.
Body: Thread and clump of Antron yarn.
Wings: Body yarn, trimmed.
Hackle: Grizzly.
Head: Thread.
Method: The Parachute Midge Cluster
Step 1: Place a hook in the vise and apply a thread base that
covers the center part of the hook shank. Leave the bobbin
hanging in the center of this base.Step 2: Tie on a clump of Antron dubbing or combed-out yarn
at the center of the hook with three or four tight thread
wraps. Pull up on the clump while tightening the turns of
thread because it’s important to keep it on top of the shank.
Post this clump with three or four turns of thread as close
to the hook shank as possible. Follow with two turns around
the shank to the front of the post.Step 3: Select a grizzly hackle feather and strip off the
webbed material at the base of the stem. Bind the feather
to the hook shank directly in front of the parachute post
material.Step 4: Wrap three or four turns of hackle around the post
as close to the shank as possible. Tie the feather off in
front of the post and trim the waste end. Whip finish and
cut off the thread in front of the post. Apply a coating of
head cement to thread wraps from the bottom of the hook. If
necessary, press with your thumb to spread out the post. ~ Al & Gretchen Beatty
Credit: If you haven’t picked up Innovative Flies And
Techniques for your home library you’ve missed a terrific
book with just tons of information. You would not learn everything
in this book in a lifetime on your own. Al and Gretchen Beatty
have done an outstanding job on Innovative Flies And
Techniques, don’t miss out. ~ DLB
For more great flies, check out: and
Originally published July 30, 2007 on Fly Anglers Online by Jim Cramer.