Adams Hairwing

The Adams Hairwing dry fly is designed to imitate adult mayflies, and like other Adams variations, it can also suggest small caddisflies and midges. The key difference is the use of stiff hair (often elk or calf tail) for the wings instead of upright hackle tips. This makes the fly more durable and slightly more buoyant, while still preserving the silhouette and color scheme of the classic Adams pattern. It’s especially effective during mayfly hatches when a natural, slightly bushier profile helps trigger strikes.

History of the Adams Hairwing:

While not credited to a single fly tyer, this variation grew in popularity in the mid-to-late 20th century as synthetic and natural hair materials became more commonly used in fly tying.