The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

Dry

Chaos Hopper

Insect Species Icon Hopper
Difficulty Icon Easy - 3-5 Min
Water Category Icon Coldwater

Tying Video

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Tying Recipe
  • Hook: Down Eye, 1X Fine, Wide Gape
  • Thread: UTC 140 Denier, Olive
  • Body: 2mm Foam, Tan
  • Wing: Caddis Para Post, Tan
  • Hot Spot: 2mm Foam, White
  • Legs: Medium Round Rubber Legs, Brown
  • Glue: Zap a Gap, Brush

As with most simple dry flies, substitution options are somewhat limited. There is however one interchangeable component on this bug. Otherwise, sticking to the original materials is the best idea and is sure to cause the fish to go chaotic!

Wing: The wing on this fly can be replaced with Antron or some similar material. That will do the job if need be.

Unfortunately the plain jane Chaos Hopper is the only one we are aware of. Variation is limited because of simplicity. Try some color changes such as yellow, olive, or brown.

With a more or less realistic shape and taper this fly will fool it’s fair share of fish. One of the most intriguing things about this pattern is that it’s easy to see. That white foam on top of the bug makes it stand out so you can see that fish inhale it, instead of being late on the hook set! This fly will also float all day long with a little dry shake and floatant. In addition to it’s visibility and high floating capabilities, there’s something very important about hind legs on hoppers. If you can get those legs to flay out away from the body of the fly and dip down into the water, it increases the chance of fooling trout substantially. I personally believe the legs are the number one thing trout use to identify it as a hopper vs another large insect as they see it pass over. This pattern does great by making rubber legs with knots to angle downwards.

Fishing this fly solo will provide the best presentation, but a hopper dropper rig isn’t a bad idea either. This fly can be killer on high mountain creeks and rivers alike. a nice presentation in soft water close to the bank will surely get a few fish interested!

If you’re going to fish the banks, just fish this fly all by itself and you’ll have much better luck committing to this fly solo and getting it inches from the bank.

If you’re going to fish off the bank, make good use of it’s floatability and use a dropper below and search for the fish willing to eat during the warm summer months.

Hopper

Regional Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Region: West, Northwest, East, Southeast, Midwest
Hopper
Sizes: #6 - #16

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