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A proven, buoyant hopper that brings trout up on windy summer days. Dave’s Hopper blends a spun deer-hair head, mottled wing, and knotted rubber legs to throw a realistic grasshopper silhouette that splats, floats, and kicks just like the real thing.
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When it excels: Late spring through early fall; breezy afternoons; grassy banks, undercuts, foam lines, and riffle edges
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Why it works: Deer-hair head and body keep it riding high; mottled wing and leg motion look natural; purposeful “plop” cues trigger aggressive eats
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Pack size: 3 flies
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Targets: Trout (rainbow, brown, brook); opportunistic river smallmouth along seams
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Ready to fish: Durable tie with consistent proportions; high visibility and buoyancy for dry-dropper duty
How to fish it
Cast tight to banks and let it land with a deliberate plop; dead-drift with occasional twitches. Prospect along grass lines, undercuts, and pocket edges. Run as a dry-dropper with 16–24" of 4–5X to a small nymph or midge. Shorten leaders (7.5–9 ft) for easier turnover in wind and broken water.
Care
Rinse after use and air-dry before boxing. Dress hair/wing with gel or paste; revive after a dunk or fish with a powder/shake desiccant.
Satisfaction
30-day returns/exchanges.