Umpqua Lawson's Thorax Dry Fly

Overview

The Thorax PMD is a Mike Lawson pattern from Umpqua, where Lawson is a Northern Rockies signature tyer. It is built to match the Pale Morning Dun, one of the most important summer mayfly hatches on western rivers.

In a thorax-style tie the wing sits closer to the middle of the hook with the hackle wound around it, so the fly balances and rides level on the surface like a real dun instead of tipping forward. That natural posture matters on the smooth, slow water where PMD hatches pull up selective trout. Umpqua also lists it for BWO and Callibaetis hatches.

How to Fish It

• Dead drift: present it on 5X or 6X tippet a few feet above a rising fish with no drag.
• Downstream presentation: on flat water, a reach cast or downstream drift shows the fish the fly before the leader.
• Pair it: trail a PMD emerger 12 to 18 inches behind it when fish are eating just under the surface.
• Timing: PMDs typically hatch from late spring through summer, often late morning into afternoon.

Choosing Color and Size

This listing is size 16, the most common PMD size on many rivers. It is a good first choice when PMDs are on the water.