In this week’s “How to Tie†video feature, Charlie Craven with Charlie’s Fly Box ties a natural grasshopper pattern that every angler should have in their box this hopper season, the Parachute Hopper.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Today we have fly patterns to cover nearly every fishing situation, tied with creativity that is only shared by artists and architects. Hopper patterns now can be found with realistic wings, articulated bodies, and foam to hold them high like a cork. These patterns will undoubtedly catch fish in lots of situations, but sometimes it’s the simple, natural patterns that end up being the right tool for the job. The Parachute Hopper by Charlie Craven is a hopper pattern that will land lighter than foam, and often create a more natural profile in the water for trout looking upward.
This fly is not necessarily difficult but can be if certain steps are rushed through. Make sure to take your time when tying in the legs, calf tail, and when wrapping the hackle. These are all steps that when overlooked and rushed, can ruin the profile of the fly completely. Take your time and the Parachute Hopper will come out just as Charlie intended it to.
During hopper season, you should always have a wide variety of synthetic and natural patterns in your box. In areas with pressure, sometimes a natural is exactly what the fish need to be enticed. They will not hold up a size 12 tungsten nymph, but for throwing a single or double dry, these flies are extremely effective. Don’t forget to share the love with our natural friends this hopper season, as carrying the Parachute Hopper can be the difference between catching and fishing.
Ingredients:
- Thread: Tan Veevus 14/0Â
- Post: White Calf Body HairÂ
- Body: Yellow and Ginger Antron DubbingÂ
- Rib: Brown SuperflossÂ
- Wing: Ozark Mottled Turkey Quill
- Legs: Pheasant
- Hackle: Cree or Grizzly Rooster Cape or Saddle
Now you know how to tie the Parachute Hopper!
Video and ingredients courtesy of Charlie’s Fly Box.
