How to Tie a Hopper

The grasshopper is an abundant and rich calorie source for fish. Hopper patterns are common among trout anglers, and the flies are also effective for bass and panfish. The grasshopper is available during the summer and early fall, and patterns are effective when fished along grassy river banks. Tyers use a diverse array of simple and complex hopper patterns. Tying a simple hopper pattern with a foam body provides a high floating, durable fly.

Things You'll Need

  • Vise
  • Standard dry fly hook
  • 6/0 yellow thread
  • Chernobyl foam hopper bodies
  • Medium round rubber legs
  • Elk hair
  • Black permanent marker
  • Whip finisher
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the hook in the vise. Start the thread at the eye of the hook and wrap it forward to the hook bend. Cover the entire hook shank with the thread to build an even body.

    • 2

      Hold the precut Chernobyl foam body on top of the hook shank. Position the pointed end at the tail and the round end immediately behind the eye of the hook. Position the yellow side of the foam facing down. Wrap the thread around the tail groove in the foam. Make 10 tight wraps to secure the foam on the hook.

    • 3

      Make one diagonal thread wrap on top of the foam body. Complete the wrap at the center groove on the foam and make 10 tight wraps around the groove to secure the center of the foam body to the hook.

    • 4

      Measure and cut one section of rubber leg to match the length of the hook shank. Hold the center of the rubber leg against the side of the center foam groove. Make four thread wraps to secure the leg. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the fly.

    • 5

      Make a diagonal thread wrap to reach the opposite side final groove near the eye of the hook. Make 10 tight thread wraps around the groove to secure the foam body completely.

    • 6

      Cut a chunk of elk hair from a patch. Use your fingers to comb the underfur away from the base of the hair. Place the tips of the hair in a stacker and tap the stacker on a hard surface to align the tips. Measure the hair to match the length of the body and hold it with the base of the fibers on the head groove. Make five thread wraps around the base of the hair to secure the wing in place.

    • 7

      Apply a small dot on each side of the head with a black permanent marker. The dot is not mandatory, but it adds realistic eyes to the hopper pattern.

    • 8

      Use a whip finisher to make 10 half-hitch knots on the head crease. Cut the thread at the hook shank to complete the fly.