Fly Tying Inventory
Letort Hopper
The Letort Hopper is a small, slim hopper meant to match the little grasshoppers that live in streamside grass. It sits flush in the surface film with a realistic outline, which suits spring creeks, sloughs and other slow water where trout look hard at a fly. A pale yellow dubbed body, a mottled turkey wing folded into a tent, and a spun deer hair collar and head are all it takes, so it is a reasonable hopper for a newer tyer to try. Tie it in sizes 10 to 16.
Ready to tie this?
This pattern needs 5 materials. Sign up free to check which ones you already own.
Materials
UTC Ultra Thread 140 Denier, tan
Tan · 140 denier
Mottled turkey wing quill section, folded into a tent
Deer hair, spun for the collar and trimmed head
How to Tie the Letort Hopper
- 1
Step 1
Start the tan thread behind the eye and wrap a smooth base back to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Dub a slim pale yellow body forward, stopping well short of the eye to leave room for the wing and the deer hair head.
- 3
Step 3
Cut a section from a mottled turkey quill and fold it lengthwise so it forms a tent shape.
- 4
Step 4
Tie the folded section on top at the front of the body so it lies low over the back like a tent and extends past the bend.
- 5
Step 5
Trim the wing butts and cover them with thread.
- 6
Step 6
Clean a bunch of deer hair, tie it in over the wing with the tips pointing back, and let it flare around the hook. The rearward tips become the collar.
- 7
Step 7
Spin one or more additional bunches of deer hair in front of the first, packing each one back, until you reach the eye.
- 8
Step 8
Whip finish in front of the hair and cut the thread.
- 9
Step 9
Trim the spun hair with a razor blade and scissors into a compact head. Keep the underside short and leave the long rearward tips of the first bunch as the collar.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HJfyKsCnXs
Credit: InTheRiffle