HOPPERING THROUGH THOSE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
Most of the fishermen that I know hate the hot summer doldrums, and as the air and water temperatures rise, the trout big and small retreat to their haunts in the deeper pools. Those that don't tuck themselves into the undercut banks, and refuse to expend energy by moving to take modest insects or fly offerings. The cooler temperatures of night provide for a little more feeding activity but for the dry fly fisherman, few opportunities are available except for 'Hoppers'!
I started hopper fishing during the mid-eighties. Over the years I've discovered many classic patterns, of Michigan origin, that have really helped to fill my creel. I have fished them coast to coast in July, August and even into September. They are absolutely 'super' patterns! I'm sure you'll find them as productive as I have.
Cooper's Hopper
Hook: Dry Fly, 2XL Sz: 8-12
Thread: Black, 6/0
Tail: Dark Claret Hackle Fibers
Body: Light Tan Chenille
Rib: Green Hackle, palmered
Underwing: Red Squirrel Hair
Overwing: Mottled Turkey, tied down, tent style
Hackle: Redish-Brown
A truly great pattern with universal appeal. Body color can be varied to match local hoppers.
Hair Wing Hopper
Hook: Dry Fly Sz: 8-12
Thread: Black, 6/0
Tail: Red Duck Quill
Body: Green Chenille
Wing: Natural Bucktail, tied trude
Hackle: Brown & Grizzly, mixed, tied heavy
Very easy to tie. A good pattern to use early in the season when the hoppers first appear.
Hanna's Michigan Hopper
Hook: Dry Fly Sz: 10
Thread: Black, 6/0
Tail: Red Duck Quill
Body: Yellow Yarn, tied with a loop
Rib: Brown Hackle, palmered & clipped short
Underwing: Natural Deer Hair, tied trude
Overwing: Mottled Turkey, tied down wing
Hackle: Brown & Gray, mixed
Vary the body color to match local hoppers. Absolutely deadly!
Hopper Special
Hook: Dry Fly XL Sz: 10-12
Thread: Black, 6/0
Tail: Mottled Turkey
Body: Pale Yellow-Gray-Green Yarn
Rib: Grizzly Hackle, palmered & trimmed
Underwing: Golden Pheasant Crest (yellow)
Overwing: Mottled Turkey
Legs: Peacock Herl, knotted
Hackle: Brown
A delicate fly. A few strikes and the legs are gone --- but the trout keep hitting it anyway.
Joe's Hopper
Hook: Dry Fly Sz: 4-16
Thread: Brown, 6/0
Tail: Red Hackle Fibers
Body: Yellow Chenille, tapered
Rib: Brown Hackle, palmered & trimmed
Wing: Mottled Turkey, tied tent style
Hackle: Brown & Grizzly, mixed, tied heavy
A standard pattern used across the country. Modified from the original Art Winnie's fly
called the Michigan Hopper.
Michigan Hopper
Hook: Dry Fly Sz: 4-16
Thread: Black, 6/0
Tail: Red Duck Quill
Body: Yellow Chenille, tapered
Wings: Mottled Turkey, tied tent style
Hackle: Brown
This photograph is of the actual fly tied by Art Winnie. The fly was developed in the early
1940s. It is simple to tie and was the first dry fly pattern to ever be tied with a turkey wing.
I've fished with it for two years now, with a great deal of success both in Michigan & Wisconsin.
Over the years there have been many modifications. The fly was popularized by Mr. Joe Brooks
and is now called Joe's Hopper.
Parachute Michigan Hopper
Hook: Dry Fly Sz: 10
Thread: Black, 8/0
Tail: Red Duck Quill
Body: Yellow or Tan Yarn, with a loop
Rib: Brown Hackle, palmered and trimmed
Underwing: Deer Hair, tied trude
Overwing: Mottled Turkey, tied tend style
Post: White Deer Hair
Hackle: Brown & Gray, mixed
A tremendous floater and devastating to 'lunker' trout. Created back in the 1950s by Ralph Hanna
of Traverse City, Michigan. He admits that the original idea came from Art Winnie's Michigan
Hopper. Ralph knew Art Winnie personally, and used to purchase tying materials from him.
Roberts' Deer Hair Hopper
Hook: Dry Fly Sz: 8-10
Thread: Black, 6/0
Tail: Red Duck Quill
Body: Light Green or Yellow Chenille, with a loop
Wing: Deer Hair, tied down over the body
Hackle: Brown & Grizzly, mixed, tied heavy
An old pattern, simple and effective. Can be fished throughout the entire season.
Top Hopper
Hook: Dry Fly Sz: 8-12
Thread: Black, 6/0
Tail: Orange Hackle Fibers
Body: Olive or Lime Chenille, with loop
Wing: Woodchuck, tied trude
Hackle: Brown, tied heavy
My favorite pattern especially in the larger sizes. Works especially well out west in big hopper country.
Yarn Body Hopper
Hook: Dry Fly Sz: 8-12
Thread: Black, 6/0
Tail: Red Duck Quill
Body: Yellow Yarn, tied with a loop
Rib: Brown Hackle, palmered and trimmed
Wing: Natural Bucktail, tied trude
Hackle: Grizzly & Brown, mixed, tied heavy
A good floating fly that I prefer to use in the early morning or late in the evening.
Hoppers have long been recognized as a major food source for trout, with over 500 species in North America alone. Fishing with hoppers can be a lot of fun anywhere in the country. During those dog days of summer they can evoke some savage hits by monster trout. Many of the newer patterns utilizing foam bodies and rubber legs are also great producers! I have had a lot of luck all over the country. If you ever visit Michigan, try the Muskegon, Pere Marquette and the Manistee rivers for some real hopper action! Check out my website for additional information on the above patterns.
See you on the water…..
Tom Deschaine
www.michigandryflies.net Copyright2012@Deschaine