The Parachute Hopper Fly is a go-to terrestrial pattern, perfect for late summer and early fall when grasshoppers are abundant near the water. Its parachute-style hackle ensures it floats well and remains visible to anglers while mimicking a struggling grasshopper on the surface.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to tying your own Parachute Hopper Fly:
Materials You’ll Need:
Hook: Size 8–14 dry fly hook.
Thread: Tan or yellow, 6/0 or 140 denier.
Body: Yellow or tan foam sheet, 2mm thick.
Legs: Rubber legs, tan or brown.
Wing: White or tan poly yarn or Antron yarn.
Hackle: Brown or grizzly dry fly hackle.
Thorax: Dubbing in a matching color (tan, yellow, or green).
Indicator: Bright poly yarn or foam for the parachute post.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Prepare the Hook:
Place your hook in the vise and attach the thread near the hook eye.
Wrap a thread base along the hook shank to just above the bend.
Create the Body:
Cut a strip of foam about 1/4 inch wide.
Tie the foam onto the hook shank, extending slightly over the hook bend. Secure with tight thread wraps.
Wrap the thread forward to the hook eye, leaving the foam in place for now.
Add the Legs:
Cut two pieces of rubber leg material.
Tie one leg on each side of the foam body, just behind the hook eye. The legs should extend slightly beyond the body.
Create the Parachute Post:
Tie in a small clump of white or bright poly yarn on top of the hook shank, just behind the hook eye.
Post the yarn by wrapping thread around its base to make it stand upright.
Add the Hackle:
Prepare a dry fly hackle feather and tie it in at the base of the parachute post.
Leave the feather hanging for now; it will be wrapped later.
Form the Thorax:
Apply dubbing to the thread and wrap a thorax behind and in front of the parachute post, creating a bulky segment.
Wrap the Hackle:
Wrap the hackle feather around the parachute post in tight, evenly spaced turns. Secure the tip of the feather with thread wraps at the post’s base.
Finish the Fly:
Pull the foam forward over the thorax to form the hopper’s head and tie it down just behind the hook eye.
Trim the foam to create a small head and whip finish the thread.
Trim the parachute post to a visible but manageable length.
Tips for Tying the Parachute Hopper:
Use a bright indicator color for the parachute post to make the fly more visible on the water.
Adjust the length of the legs to match the size of the hook and mimic natural proportions.
Experiment with foam and leg colors to match local hopper species.
When to Use the Parachute Hopper Fly
This fly is particularly effective:
During summer and fall when grasshoppers and other terrestrials are active.
On windy days when hoppers are blown into the water.
In slower-moving water where trout have time to inspect surface flies.
The Parachute Hopper is a fun and practical pattern to tie, combining realistic looks with excellent floatation. Adding this fly to your collection will prepare you for some exciting surface action.
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