Dave's Hopper

Dave's Hopper

A grassy bank, a warm afternoon, and a grasshopper landing on the water can turn a quiet stretch into a surface-feeding opportunity. Dave's Hopper gives you a grasshopper imitation for those terrestrial-fishing moments, offering a dry-fly alternative when trout are watching the banks rather than feeding on an obvious aquatic hatch. Reach for it when hoppers are active near the water and you want to search likely holding spots with a surface presentation.

Work it along grassy edges, undercut banks, and seams beside overhanging vegetation. A purposeful landing can suggest a hopper falling in, but follow it with a controlled, drag-free drift so the fly moves naturally through the feeding lane. Start by letting it drift undisturbed; if fish follow without taking, try an occasional small twitch rather than pulling it continuously across the surface.

On freestone rivers and spring creeks, cover bank-side pockets methodically before moving to the next stretch. On lakes and ponds, watch for cruising trout along vegetated margins and place the fly ahead of their path. Let local insect activity guide your timing: warm summer days and early-fall afternoons can offer opportunities wherever grasshoppers are still active.

Pattern Details

• Style: Grasshopper imitation / terrestrial dry fly
• Best water: Trout rivers, spring creeks, lakes, and ponds with grassy or vegetated margins
• Techniques: Bank-side dead drifts, purposeful hopper-style landings, and occasional subtle twitches
• Best conditions: Warm weather with grasshoppers active near the water

Keep Dave's Hopper in your terrestrial selection for those bank-side opportunities, and turn a careful cast and natural drift into a reason for trout to look up.