In this week’s “How to Tie” feature, Charlie Craven with Charlie’s Fly Box ties a pattern he developed while guiding to troubleshoot waterlogged natural materials: the Charlie Boy Hopper.
Learn How to Tie This Fly:
Difficulty: Intermediate
The dog days of summer are upon us, and that means two things: rising water temperatures and hoppers. Small streams and tailwaters that are consistently fed cold water are a great way to fish for healthy, happy trout this August. During hot days, grasshoppers and other flying insects will come out of hiding to the delight of trout that eagerly await a meal. The Charlie Boy hopper is a grasshopper pattern that will float all day with minimal maintenance and is durable enough to withstand several fish mistaking it for the real deal.
Fishing hoppers is one of the most exciting ways you can target trout. Summer is when trout become their most acrobatic and will chase hoppers that have fallen off tall grass overhanging a bank or blown in from a windy field with ferocity. Take your time when working with foam, especially while trimming to get body proportions correct. It can be easy for one cut to ruin the body, so be precise and decisive when creating the Charlie Boy hopper to ensure there are no wasted materials and time.
Whether you are fishing small streams, lakes, or larger rivers, hoppers will consistently fool hungry trout. One of the more effective ways to fish this fly is using it in a dry dropper rig, due to its high buoyancy and ability to hold up substantially sized nymphs. Hopper patterns paired with a 3wt fly rod, small blue lines in the mountains, and exploration are some of the best ways to spend a summer day. Enjoy the perks of summer even while temperatures may be unbearable at times by escaping to cooler waters and fishing the Charlie Boy hopper with confidence and undeniable success.
Ingredients:
- Hook: TMC 100SP-BL #8-10, or TMC 5212 or TMC 5262 #4-8
- Thread: Tan 3/0 Monocord
- Binder Strip: 2mm X 2mm Piece of foam
- Body: Tan 2mm Thin Fly Foam
- Legs: Brown Medium Round Rubber Legs
- Wing: Natural Deer Hair
- Glue: Zap-A-Gap CA Glue
- Tools: Double Edge Razor Blades
Now you know how to tie the Charlie Boy Hopper!
Video courtesy of Charlie’s Fly Box.
