Simplest effective and durable hopper pattern

4331 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by ScottP, May 5, 2016

blackbird

Discussion Starter · May 1, 2016

The linked article for the post on "Failure of Modern Fly Design" made a criticism of patterns with too many materials, describing what were likely foam hopper or stonefly patterns.

With summer coming up, I would be curious to hear folks perspective on hopper patterns that are as simple to tie as possible while still being effective and durable.

for beetles, I know the basic peacock herl around the hook, black foam over the hook, and hackle wrap on the thorax to dimple the water like legs, is pretty simple and effective, although a little awkward working with the foam as you get to smaller sizes.

I have no experience on grasshopper tying or fishing, myself.

jay

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jeff bandy

· #2 · May 1, 2016

Living where you do, I would think you'd be all over these.

Try a Chubby Chernobyl.
http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/details.cfm?parentID=196

Easy to tie and very effective. Match size and bottom color. Tie them with only waterproof materials as the natural is hydrophobic. Rarely breaking the surface film.

Reactions: 1

Batt B

· #3 · May 1, 2016

These meet your criteria and work for me.

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/media/matt_s_hanford_hoppers.37472/

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Reactions: 2

Out of Here

· #4 · May 1, 2016

Foam. Foam. Foam.

Reactions: 2

Norm Frechette

· #5 · May 1, 2016

http://www.robonthefly.com/2015/05/foam-hopper-5312015.html

Reactions: 3

jeff bandy

· #6 · May 1, 2016

Derek Young said:
Foam. Foam. Foam.

Any more questions?

Chris Johnson

· #7 · May 2, 2016

Norm Frechette said:
http://www.robonthefly.com/2015/05/foam-hopper-5312015.html

that's about as simple as they get, I like it.

Golden Trout

· #8 · May 2, 2016

Foam body to match color of the real bug, bullet head of deer or elk, rubber legs in X configuration, done. The right color that rides low in the water and shows some legs twitching in the water does it.

Reactions: 1

Pat Lat

· #9 · May 3, 2016

I like to tie a very simple, yet effective hopper. It only requires two materials. Thread and a grasshopper

Seriously though, if it plops and floats and kinda looks like a hopper it will probably work.
Look for patterns with foam and legs then subtract the frills

Reactions: 1

GAT

· #10 · May 4, 2016

Oddly enough, I do better with a Joe's Hopper than the foam options... and I really only fished hoppers during our annual YNP trip.

Maybe the Joe's Hopper worked because the fish had already seen every foam pattern known to man or fish. Beats me. The pattern caught trout for me when nothing else would.

Reactions: 3

VanAllen

· #11 · May 4, 2016

GAT said:
Oddly enough, I do better with a Joe's Hopper than the foam options... and I really only fished hoppers during our annual YNP trip.

Maybe the Joe's Hopper worked because the fish had already seen every foam pattern known to man or fish. Beats me. The pattern caught trout for me when nothing else would.

Last time I fished this fly was years ago in northern Michigan. Caught more trout on it than I could count. I've since incorporated a lot stuff into my terrestrial tying, but I might have to start tying these up again. Thanks for the reminder

Reactions: 1

Out of Here

· #12 · May 4, 2016

I believe that natural materials are more realistic and sit lower in the water, one disadvantage of foam. Drowning a hopper is very effective.

Reactions: 2

ScottP

· #13 · May 5, 2016

6

These are going to be my main hopper patterns this year, along with the Carnage variations. Neither are difficult to tie, they float (even after multiple fish get them all icky) down in the water like real hoppers, are visible, make a nice splat and most importantly, they work. The bullethead takes a bit more time to tie and isn't quite as durable, but a blown-head fly has caught plenty of fish for me, and I just have a thing for bulletheads; the foam head version works just as well.

Although originally intended as a skwala imitation in this color, there's a stream in Yellowstone where you really want to have olive hoppers.

Regards,
Scott

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Reactions: 2

David Loy

· #14 · May 5, 2016

Both are great looking flies. I'll take a dozen.

VanAllen

· #15 · May 5, 2016

ScottP said:
These are going to be my main hopper patterns this year, along with the Carnage variations. Neither are difficult to tie, they float (even after multiple fish get them all icky) down in the water like real hoppers, are visible, make a nice splat and most importantly, they work. The bullethead takes a bit more time to tie and isn't quite as durable, but a blown-head fly has caught plenty of fish for me, and I just have a thing for bulletheads; the foam head version works just as well. Although originally intended as a skwala imitation in this color, there's a stream in Yellowstone where you really want to have olive hoppers.

Regards,
Scott

I haven't seen that style of body before. Looks pretty cool, and effective. Would love to see how it's done. I tie all of my extended bodies using two strips of foam sandwiched onto a needle.

ScottP

· #16 · May 5, 2016

VanAllen said:
I haven't seen that style of body before. Looks pretty cool, and effective. Would love to see how it's done. I tie all of my extended bodies using two strips of foam sandwiched onto a needle.

Here's the SBSs

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/threads/furled-foam-skwala-sbs.105534/

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/threads/foam-head-ff-skwala-sbs.105770/

Regards,
Scott

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