Realistic Hopper Bodies

Realistic Hopper Bodies are genuine replicas of hopper bodies in their appearance, shape, size, and the way they float on the water. Using these fly tying parts in your hopper pattern will add that crucial advantage and make your fly super-effective. These bodies are made of flexible, extra light, foam-like material, making them very floatable. The shape is a true reproduction of a real hopper body shape. The printing and coloring are authentic-looking, down to the little details of the hopper's head. Realistic Hopper Bodies are water-resistant, extra sturdy, and make very effective hoppers. They are ready-made, simple, and easy to tie. Simply make a small slit with the cutter knife or a razor along the bottom of the body, add some glue (the best are the flexible, gummy kinds), and insert the hook. To tiethat super realistic hopper - use them in combination with Realistic Hopper Legs 3D. Realistic Hopper Bodies come as 6 bodies per bag. There is a selection of 8 great colors: Yellow/Brown, Yellow/Black, Tan, Olive, Gray, Yellow, Green, and Pink, and three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. Small is a good choice for hook sizes #10-12, Medium for hooks #8-10, and Large for hooks #6-8. (Please note that due to many different types and models of hooks, these hook size recommendations are just rough estimates.)

Hopper Fly Fishing

Hoppers (grasshoppers) are ground-dwelling terrestrials from the order Orthoptera with powerful hind legs that enable them to jump energetically. They are large and bulky insects that often find themselves in the water where they start drowning the instant they hit the water. When in water, they would start vigorously struggling, kicking, and splatting. Accurately imitating these movements of the fly on the water surface can be an imperative part of your presentation. Dead-drift floating with an occasional twitch can produce some ferocious strikes from sizable trout. Hoppers are big meals so they usually bring the largest fish to the table. Adult hoppers hit their peak activity and reproduction from late June through October, sometimes even into November for some species. Great times for presenting this fly is during warm and breezy midday and afternoon. They are most active on the hottest days of the summer months. At the same time, these are the days when the water temperatures are warmest and water levels are the lowest the times when even the largest of fish come out for some easy large meal. Hopper Fishing Tip:When fishing with hopper patterns, throw your flywithin a few inches of the waters edge. Moving a few inches closer to the bank could be crucial when fishing with these flies.

Fly Fishing Terrestrial Flies

Terrestrial insects are land-bred. Some of the species of terrestrials include hoppers (grasshoppers), ants, beetles, bees, crickets, etc. Terrestrials are one of the essential food sources for trout and other game fish during the summer months. Hot summer months are when the aquatic insects become sparse, the trout is the most active and grows the fastest. This is when terrestrials become their most important food source as a rich source of protein. A terrestrial falling into the water is a great and nutritious meal for fish as these insects are usually bulkier and heavier than aquatic insects and they provide a large calorie intake when the trout need it most. Terrestrial fly patterns are effective from May till October, and sometimes even into November. As terrestrials are most active and most likely to fall in the river during the day, the best time to fish these fly patterns is anytime from late morning all the way through the evening. Windy days are best as the wind pushes them to the water. Optimal locations to present terrestrial patterns are along cut banks, grassy shorelines, or under big trees places where fish wait for them easy meals just dropping in. As these insects will eventually be pulled further into the river midstream can also be a good place to present your fly. On smaller streams fish are depending mostly on terrestrials as their food source. Small waters dont have the high-energy riffles where the aquatic insects spend much of their lifecycles. For fishing small streams terrestrials are a must. Be it mid-summer, early fall, or the midst of spring fishing terrestrial fly patterns can provide top dry-fly action!

Fly tying videos using this product

No-Tie Chartreuse Hopper

For a full list of materials for fly tying a No-Tie Chartreuse Hopper pattern, go here.