Easiest Hopper Pattern

[jifigz]

Can someone please give me a pattern that you believe to be the simplest hopper pattern to tie that also remains effective? I have a few places where I really want to float some hoppers come September or so and I want to fish the hopper a lot and put full confidence behind it. I can tie the Chernobyl Ant which I guess could get eaten for a hopper, but hopefully there is something a little more realistic looking that remains simple. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[beadhead2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6CNQ_O74DM

 

[poopdeck]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?autoplay=1&v=h7_3cgzoNTU

My favorite. It's as easy as they come.

 

[Fishidiot]

Agree - a simple foam body and a clump of deer hair on top is easy and effective. Don't even bother with legs or visibility posts if you want to crank out a bunch of these flies quickly.

Most of the hoppers here in PA have bodies that are light green or light brown so foam in those colors are a good match.

 

[jifigz]

If the fish are basically only getting a view from the underside of the fly, what purpose does the clump of deer hair on top of the hopper serve?

 

[JackM]

This may offer an explanation:

The Window

 

[MKern]

I use 1/4 foam cut to length.
Pierce a hot needle/bodkin through the thorax.
Stick a bobbin theader through the hole and pull rubber legs back through.
Tie the rubber legs back and form the abdomen.
Trim/taper the abdomen into a cone shape with scissors or an xacto knife.

 

[Fishidiot]

jifigz wrote:
If the fish are basically only getting a view from the underside of the fly, what purpose does the clump of deer hair on top of the hopper serve?

The deer hair tends to splay out on the sides of the foam body and this gives the profile a more buggy look. Hoppers (and crickets) are leggy critters that often exhibit some crumpled wings that project off to the sides when they crash in the water. A clump of deer hair mimics this and is easier than tying rubber legs IMO.
The deer hair wing also serves as a visibility post enabling you to see the fly on the surface.

 

[SteveG]

I tied up one the other night that came to me while I was in bed. I ran downstairs and started it, then finished up the following afternoon. On mine, the foam is tied underneath, and it could provide a better view from a fish's perspective. I'm terrible at posting pics on this forum, my email address should be displayed in my profile if you want pics.

 

[nfrechet]

just change the color of the foam

https://hopperfishing.wordpress.com/

chaos hopper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZMryfMnZ5o

 

[nfrechet]

On mine, the foam is tied underneath, and it could provide a better view from a fish's perspective.

possibly but you also closed the gape of the hook decreasing hooking capabilities

the fish will see the fly with the foam on the topside of the hook

 

[wgmiller]

Tied up some of the pattern "Poopdeck" posted. Quick and easy. Can't wait to get on the limestoners of the area, find some meadow grass and have at it!

 

[IdratherbePhishing]

Wg I use this exact fly a lot it works

 

[BelAirSteve]

Never fished this on a trout stream, but it kills on warm water. Not necessarily easy or quick, but fun to tie.

Boulder Hopper

 

[wgmiller]

Lots of good patterns on that site!

https://hopperfishing.wordpress.com/