Bodkin / Patterns

Project Hopper

Terrestrial · Trout · Intermediate · 2 versions

Note: Contested against a published dressing: The current published Project Hopper (v3.0, Fly Fish Food — the pattern's originators) is all-foam: tan 4mm foam body, 0.5mm and 1mm foam layers, speckled Centipede rubber legs, and a 2mm FOAM indicator post. It has NO elk-hair underwing and no poly/para-post, both of which our record lists. Source: Fly Fish Food — "Project Hopper 3.0" tying tutorial — https://www.flyfishfood.com/blogs/dry-fly-tutorials/project-hopper-3-0

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL dry/terrestrial hook, 8-12
  • Thread Tan 6/0

Materials

  • Sheet foam (body) Tan fly tying foam (3-4mm strip)
  • Sheet foam (wing case/head) Tan sheet foam (1mm strip)
  • Elk hair (underwing) Natural / bleached elk hair (1 clump)
  • Para-post (indicator) Fluorescent orange or pink material (1 clump)
  • Rubber legs Tan / speckled rubber legs (2 strands)

How to tie it

  1. Cover the rear two-thirds of the shank with thread to the bend.
  2. Cut a tan foam strip slightly wider than the gap, taper the rear, bind it on top at the bend, and advance the thread in 3 segmenting bands to the 60% mark for a plump body.
  3. Stack and tie in an elk-hair underwing over the body, tips reaching just past the bend; trim the butts.
  4. Figure-8 one tan rubber leg on each side at the 60% mark so a pair kicks out and back.
  5. Fold the 1mm tan foam forward over the thorax as a wing case and head; bind at 60% and again behind the eye, leaving a stubby head.
  6. Post a small hi-vis para-post indicator upright at the thorax so you can track the fly.
  7. Whip finish under the head, trim the legs to about one shank, cement.

Other versions

1 more in the app: Fly Fish Food Tie.

Tying videos

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