Madam X – reliable floation with attractive results

Madam X

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Tying Instructions

1. Mash down the hook barb and attach the thread to the shank around midsection. Lay a foundation to the tail tie-in position at the bend of the hook above the mashed barb.

2. Clip a section of Elk Hair and clean the underfur well with a comb. Even the tips in a stacker and remove the hairs from the stacker with your left hand. With you right hand, you can grasp the butts and measure the proper length for the tail. It should be about one hook gap in length. Mark this position by grasping the bundle with your left hand and position the hair bundle on top of the shank. Secure the bundle with tight overlapping wraps moving forward up the shank to the 2/3 position of the shank.

3. Trim the butts and secure the ends with thread wraps. Keep the last 1/3 of the shank clear as you will be adding material here. Applying some head cement to the body will help to secure the material.

4. Clip another section of Elk Hair, clean the underfur from it, and even the tips in a stacker. Position this material so that the tips do not exceed the tail and secure the butt ends at the 2/3 position on the shank. It is important to not let the material twist around the shank. Apply some head cement to the thread wraps to help secure the hair.

5. Select another section of Deer hair, stack it, and tie the butts at the 2/3 position with the hair extending over the eyes. Adjust the length of the hair so that the pulled back wing does not exceed the hook. Hair trimmed to 1 1/2 the shank length will be about right. Secure the hair right up to the eye with thread wraps. Leave the thread at the 2/3 position.

6. Pull the hair back firmly over the top of the shank and secure with tight thread wraps. You want the material to be on the top of the shank to allow the body to be seen from underneath within the surface film.

7. Attach a rubber leg strand on each side of the shank at the 2/3 position. Whip Finish.

Materials to Order Material, click the link
Hook	TMC 5263 #10-14
Thread	Danville 6/0 Yellow Thread
Body	Danville 6/0 Yellow Thread
Tail	Elk Hair
Wing	Elk Hair
Underwing	Elk Hair
Legs	Rubber Leg Material

Doug Swisher

Madam X

The Madam X originated with Doug Swisher in Southwestern Montana during the 1980’s. Primarily used to imitate hoppers and large stoneflies, the Madam X can also be adapted for cicada, dragonflies, crickets, and other large type insects. The original pattern was composed mostly of Elk Hair using a yellow thread ribbing. Additional colors were later incorporated into the body through the use of colored floss, Antron Dubbing, or some other type of colored dubbing.

Floatation Aspects

Usually the Madam X is tied with an underwing, although you will often find this step omitted, depending upon the floatation one desires and the type of insect it is mimicking. The fly floats extremely well with the heavy Elk Hair wing. On smaller sizes, Deer Hair is often substituted and still provides sufficient floatation. Deer Hair can also be a better choice for securing the hair to the shank. The rubber legs give the fly plenty of life-like action and can be trimmed to any size desired.

Parachute

The parachute adaptation to the fly provides for increased visibility. The parachute post can be Antron Yarn, Hi-Vis, or Calf Tail. Rather than using a bullethead-type wing/thorax, the parachutes are usually tied with a peacock herl thorax and a standard hair bundle wing. The wingpost is then secured in front of the wing tie-down position. The Orange Parachute Madam X is primarily used for the large October Caddis hatch in the Sierra. Olive and Yellow colors are used for hoppers, and black for crickets.
The Hi-Vis Parachute Madam X shown below is one provided by Mike Owens for our Favorite Fly Swap of 2006.

Parachute Madam X, Yellow

Hook	TMC 5263 #10-14
Thread	Danville Yellow 6/0
Body	Danville Yellow 6/0
Thorax	Peacock Herl
Tail	Deer Hair
Wingpost	White Antron yarn
Wing	Deer Hair
Hackle	Grizzly Hackle
Legs	White Rubber legs

Parachute Madam X, Orange

Hook	TMC 5263 #10-14
Thread	Danville Black 6/0
Body	Burnt Orange Floss
Thorax	Peacock Herl
Tail	Deer Hair
Wingpost	White Antron yarn
Wing	Deer Hair
Hackle	Brown Hackle
Legs	Purple Rubber legs

Parachute Madam X, Red

Hook	TMC 5263 #10-14
Thread	Danville Black 6/0
Body	Red Floss
Thorax	Peacock Herl
Tail	Deer Hair
Wingpost	White Antron yarn
Wing	Deer Hair
Hackle	Grizzly Hackle
Legs	Purple Rubber legs

Parachute Madam X, Hi-Vis

Hook	TMC 200R #12
Thread	Danville Yellow 6/0
Body	Yellow Poly Yarn
Thorax	Peacock Herl
Tail	Deer Hair
Wingpost	Pink Egg Yarn
Wing	Deer Hair
Hackle	Brown Grizzly Hackle
Legs	Yellow Rubber legs