Dry FliesPMX Fly
The PMX (Parachute Madam X) Fly is a versatile and highly effective dry fly that is a favorite among fly anglers. This pattern is an amalgamation of a few different flies, combining the best attributes of each to create a fly that is irresistible to fish. It can be tied in a variety of colors to mimic different insects.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Apr 2025
Overview
The Parachute Madam X is a bushy attractor dry fly that combines elements from multiple classic patterns. Features a parachute post for visibility, rubber legs for movement, deer hair wing, and peacock or dubbed body. The bulky profile suggests large stoneflies, hoppers, or other terrestrials. Excellent floatation makes it ideal for fast riffles and pocket water, and it can support a dropper nymph. The high-vis design helps anglers track the fly in broken water while the movement attracts fish.
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 5212, sizes #04–#12
Thread: Black UNI 6/0
Tail: Deer Hair or Elk Hair
Body: Red UNI Single Strand Floss
Wing: Deer Hair or Elk Hair
Thorax: Peacock Herl
Legs: Natural Medium Grizzly Barred Rubber Legs
Wing Post: White McFlylon
Hackle: Grizzly or Brown Whiting High and Dry Rooster Cape
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Large stoneflies and terrestrials create significant surface disturbance when they land on water, fluttering and kicking as they attempt to right themselves or escape. This commotion triggers aggressive strikes from opportunistic fish keyed on substantial surface prey.
Where Trout Eat It: Surface in riffles, runs, and pocket water where high-floating profile remains visible in broken water. Fish rise aggressively to large surface patterns.
How to Fish It: Cast upstream and allow natural drift, or twitch occasionally to imitate struggling terrestrials. The foam body and hackle maintain floatation in choppy water.
Best Water: Seams, foam lines, riffle edges, pocket water, and current breaks where surface insects accumulate and fish feed opportunistically.
Strike Type: Watch for visible rises, rings expanding on the surface, or audible sips. Set at sight of aggressive takes.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: PMX Fly can be used on its own or as an indicator fly for a dropper setup.
Seasonal Timing: Effective during active feeding periods throughout the season. Fish morning and evening for best results.
Pro Tips: The fly is highly visible due to its foam body and deer hair wing. It floats high in the water due to its foam body and hackle.
Entomology
Adult stoneflies crawl along streamside vegetation and rocks, occasionally falling or being blown onto the water where they create significant surface disturbance with their large bodies and fluttering wings. Fish respond to these sizeable insects with aggressive strikes, recognizing them as high-calorie prey items that justify the energy expenditure of rising to the surface.
- Order
- Plecoptera
- Common Name
- Stonefly
- Organism Type
- terrestrial
- Life Stage
- adult