Grasshopper Imitations

Many hopper dry fly patterns have hit the water with a splat over the years. Hoppers are best fished in grasshopper season near grassy banks where a hopper might land on the water. Imagine a lunker trout leaving his lie under an undercut bank to rise and slurp in a big juicy hopper. That thought confirms the wisdom of including hopper imitations in your fly box for summer fishing. If you don’t have one, a big Muddler Minnow or Stimulator that will float a short distance might do the job also.

Here are a couple of grasshopper patterns:

Parachute Hopper

Hook –             Dry fly hook such as the 2X long Mustad 94831 in sizes 6, 8

Thread –          Tan or olive

Body –             Olive or yellow dry fly dubbing

Wing -             Turkey tail strip strengthened with Dave’s Flexament, trimmed to shape, and tied flat on the hook shank

Hackle post -   White calf tail clipped

Hackle -           Grizzly, parachute style

Legs -              Knotted pheasant tail fibres   

Head -             Thread finished with 2 coats of thin, high-penetration head cement

Letort Hopper

Hook –             Dry fly hook such as the 2X long Mustad 94831 in sizes 6, 8

Thread –           Yellow or olive

Body –             Olive or yellow closed cell foam tied flat on the hook shank

Wing -              Turkey tail strip strengthened with Dave’s Flexament, trimmed to shape, and tied flat on the hook shank

Head & collar -  Fine deer hair flared and clipped, thread finished with 2 coats of thin, high-penetration head cement