Dave's Hopper

Materials

How to Tie the Dave's Hopper

1. 1

   Step 1

   Start thread about one-third back from the eye and wrap a smooth base to the bend of the hook.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Stack and tie in a small bunch of red deer belly hair at the bend, about one-third the hook shank in length for the tail.

   Leave the butt ends attached for added underbody bulk and floatation.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Pull butt ends forward, advance thread, and tie down at the three-quarter mark on the shank. Trim excess.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Tie in yellow poly yarn at the bend and wrap forward to form the body. Create a small loop at the bend to suggest a grasshopper egg sac.

   Split the yarn for smaller hook sizes to maintain proper proportions.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Tie in brown hackle at the bend and palmer forward over the body. Tie off and trim the hackle fibers short.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Measure and cut a section of mottled turkey quill to shank length. Lacquer or coat with vinyl cement for durability. Tie in at the three-quarter point.

   Treat the turkey quill with Flexament or thin vinyl cement to prevent splitting during casting.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Tie in knotted pheasant tail fiber legs on each side, positioning the knots to suggest natural leg joints.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Spin and stack natural deer body hair to form the collar and head. Distribute fibers evenly around the shank.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Trim the deer hair to create the blocky hopper head shape, leaving a collar of untrimmed fibers. Whip finish and apply head cement.