Parachute Hopper

Materials

How to Tie the Parachute Hopper

1. 1

   Step 1

   Mount hook in vise. Start thread behind the eye and wrap a base to about three eye-lengths back.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Cut, clean, and stack a clump of white calf hair. Measure to about two-thirds the shank length and tie in at the post position. Build a thread dam to prop the post upright.

   Trim butt ends at an angle for a smooth transition. Wrap thread up and down the post base to secure it.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Attach brown rib material at the rear of the hook and wrap it slightly down the bend.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Dub thread and wrap an even, tapered abdomen forward to about two eye-lengths behind the hook eye.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Counter-wrap the rib material evenly forward through the dubbed abdomen. Tie off and trim excess.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Cut and prepare about 20 fibers from a turkey tail feather treated with cement. Tie in the wing so it extends just past the body, slightly cupped over the abdomen.

   Treat turkey feather with flexible cement to prevent splitting during use.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Knot 8-12 pheasant tail fibers and attach a leg on each side just in front of the wing. Legs should splay slightly downward and extend to the end of the body.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Select a grizzly hackle with fibers 1.5 to 2 times the hook gap. Strip the butt and tie in at the base of the post with several wraps up the post.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Dub a thorax in front of the wing and post, covering the leg tie-in points while leaving space behind the hook eye.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Wind the hackle down the parachute post in 4-6 tight turns. Secure the hackle tip and trim the stem.

11. 11

    Step 11

    Whip finish around the base of the parachute post. Apply head cement and trim the post to desired visibility height.