Hopper Preshaped Foam Bodies

Hopper Preshaped Foam Bodies

Hopper Preshaped Foam Bodies are preshaped, precut, foam bodies for tying realistic hopper patterns. The shape is a true reproduction of a real hopper body shape. Bodies have been colored in most common hopper shades, but they can also be easily printed on with more details. They are made of flexible, dense, foam-like material that makes them highly floatable. The material is water-resistant, flexible, very sturdy, and easy to work with.  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 tie that super realistic hopper – use them in combination with Realistic Hopper Legs 3D.

Hopper Preshaped Foam Bodies come as 10 bodies per bag. There is a selection of 4 great colors: Tan, White, Gray & Green, and three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. Small is a good choice for hook size #10, Medium for hook #8 and Large for hook #6.

(Please note that due to many different types and models of hooks, these hook size recommendations are just rough estimates.)

We also offer a realistic version of these bodies with super authentic detailing.

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 hopper patterns, throw your fly within a few inches of the water’s edge. Moving a few inches closer to the bank could be crucial when fishing these flies.