How to Tie a Foam Hooper

Foam hopper patterns are used to imitate floating grasshoppers. The flies are common for trout fishing but are also effective for bass, panfish and other insect feeding species. There are other materials available that are used to create hopper patterns, but foam is the most buoyant and durable option. Foam is also easy to manipulate and shape into a segmented hopper body. Numerous foam hopper fly patterns are available with a combination of simple and complex options. The main objective is a thick body that makes a noisy impact on the water.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 XL dry fly hook, No. 4-12
  • Vise
  • 3/0 thread, yellow
  • 2 mm foam, yellow and black
  • Instant glue
  • Razor blade
  • Elk hair
  • Rubber legs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clamp the hook in the fly tying vise. Start wrapping the thread at the hook eye and make subsequent wraps until you reach the bend. The thread base is necessary for attaching and holding the foam.

    • 2

      Cut a 1/2-inch wide yellow foam strip. Cut a 1/2-inch wide black foam strip. Measure the two strips to match the length of the hook shank. Apply a thin layer of instant glue to one of the strips and place the other strip on top. This creates a multicolor foam body. Allow the glue on the strip to dry for one minute.

    • 3

      Use a razor blade to cut a line down the center of the yellow foam. Apply a thin layer of super glue to the top of the hook shank and push the foam onto the shank. Leave a small gap between the end of the foam and the hook eye. The hook will fit into the previously cut line. Cut the thread from the hook and allow the foam to dry for one minute.

    • 4

      Use scissors to trim the tail section of the foam into a tapered design. Start wrapping the thread at the hook eye and wrap it to the end of the foam.

    • 5

      Cut a clump of elk hair from a hide. Comb the base of the hair with your hands to remove the underfur. Hold the hair at the end of the foam with the tips extending past the hook eye. Push the hair downward to spin it around the hook shank. Make 10 thread wraps to secure the hair on the hook.

    • 6

      Wrap the thread to the hook eye and back to the end of the foam. Use your fingers to stroke the tips of the hair toward the hook bend. This creates a head at the hook eye and a collar around the fly. Make 10 thread wraps to secure the elk hair in place.

    • 7

      Measure a rubber leg to match the length of the hook. Align the center of the leg with the thread on the side of the hook. Make five thread wraps to secure the leg. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the hook.

    • 8

      Add a small drop of instant glue to the thread to secure it onto the fly. Cut the extra thread away from the fly.