Stalcups hopper

[fulano]

Does anybody know how to tie the extended body on the Stalcup's hopper pattern. I pasted a link below, but the photo doesn't do the abdomen of the fly justice. The foam is spiral wrapped around whatever creates the extended body, and then sprialed onto the hook shank. I have never tied anything like that, and I wondered what one would use to support the extended body (wire, heavy mono).

I have purchased a couple of these from local shops the last few seasons, and these guys seem to be the fish favorite each year on the MP anyway. Sorry, Chris I dont' get out much.

Stalcup sells the legs, which are pretty realistic looking but they are not cheap. Besides the extended body and the legs, the rest of the materials and tying style matches other flies (bullet head with MadameX style rubber legs) so I thought if I could tie some up matching everything but the legs and see how they fish, that might tell me whether it's worth forking out for the legs.

If any of you have tied it and have any advice it would be appreciated.

http://flydepot.com/flyfishing/popup_image.php?pID=556&sid=28a33f257b7b94a31a3ade26a668d2bc

[nativecutt]

I believe he ties it on a needle but ties in some antron or similar material on the needle to give the foam something to grab onto. You can see it in Fly tyer magazine titled extra terrestrials. He also has some cool beetle patterns in that article if I remember right. (reading all those fishing mags pays off, now if I could convince my wife why I need subscriptions for five different ones)

[Marty]

It’s a good looking pattern and floats well, the only problem I had with them was hooking fish. I not sure what it was. My thought was the stiff legs bushed the fly out of the fish’s mouth or maybe it was the hook being so small. If you are going to tie it don’t worry too much about the legs, nothing better than rubber. You can buy pre made bodies or make them your self. Same principal as building a rod blank.

[fulano]

I believe he ties it on a needle but ties in some antron or similar material on the needle to give the foam something to grab onto. You can see it in Fly tyer magazine titled extra terrestrials. He also has some cool beetle patterns in that article if I remember right. (reading all those fishing mags pays off, now if I could convince my wife why I need subscriptions for five different ones)

Native, is that a recent edition of Fly Tyer. I pick that one up at the airport sometimes, but don't have a subscription.

Marty, I have also had trouble hooking fish with this hopper, but at least fish are taking it. I have not had a bunch of hopper luck on the MP. Do you have any hopper preferences for the MP, I know you fish it a bunch.

[cheech]

Foo-

I think he wraps a needle with thread, and antron. then he gets the foam to stick to itself with super glue while wrapping it. I tied a few once, and they looked pretty decent, but I was scared to fish them.

The legs are made by placing micro tubing in a pair of hemos and dipping them into boiling water. Tie it in a knot in the appropriate place, and shove some ostritch herl (red) into the non-melted end with some super glue. They are not too bad to make if you do a bunch at a time. I do damsel bodies the same way.

Wanna have a tying party? you bring the pizza.

[steelhead]

I believe he ties it on a needle but ties in some antron or similar material on the needle to give the foam something to grab onto. You can see it in Fly tyer magazine titled extra terrestrials. He also has some cool beetle patterns in that article if I remember right. (reading all those fishing mags pays off, now if I could convince my wife why I need subscriptions for five different ones) grass hopper you have come a long way.. it is time for you to go fish

[fulano]

Foo-

I think he wraps a needle with thread, and antron. then he gets the foam to stick to itself with super glue while wrapping it. I tied a few once, and they looked pretty decent, but I was scared to fish them.

The legs are made by placing micro tubing in a pair of hemos and dipping them into boiling water. Tie it in a knot in the appropriate place, and shove some ostritch herl (red) into the non-melted end with some super glue. They are not too bad to make if you do a bunch at a time. I do damsel bodies the same way.

Wanna have a tying party? you bring the pizza.

A tying party sounds great. I would like to learn this technique, but if you (the guy that ties the most detailed Sally nymph I've ever seen) think it's a time consuming fly, then I probably should stick to something more simple !

[nativecutt]

thanks I forgot the glue step. That would be critical. Your sally pattern is similar to the iron sally pattern right? Fulano His phone number is 1-866-429-9613 give him a call. Tell him hi from Grant

[wildnative]

Twisted hopper is easier to tie and gives pretty much the same silhouette. I have had good days with it on the middle. My experience with hoppers on the middle is to stay out of the water, hit the banks with the fly and move from hole to hole. Don't stand in one run and expect a lot of action, keep on the move. You can go back and pick up the fish you miss if you want.

Too many parts that are not needed on that pattern for me (and this fron a guy who weaves over cork).

All you need on a hopper is rubber legs and elk hair wing. No laquered pheasant or turkey overwing, no medallion sheeting and no knotted hackle legs.

If you extend the body too far past the bend of the hook, you will have poor hook-ups. Only extend the body about 1/4 inch past the bend.

[cheech]

thanks I forgot the glue step. That would be critical. Your sally pattern is similar to the iron sally pattern right? Fulano His phone number is 1-866-429-9613 give him a call. Tell him hi from Grant


I've got his number. I always try to bug him when I'm on my way down the hill. My sally is basically an iron sally variation. It's not my creation. I just put eyes on it instead of a bead.

[cheech]

Twisted hopper is easier to tie and gives pretty much the same silhouette. I have had good days with it on the middle. My experience with hoppers on the middle is to stay out of the water, hit the banks with the fly and move from hole to hole. Don't stand in one run and expect a lot of action, keep on the move. You can go back and pick up the fish you miss if you want.

Too many parts that are not needed on that pattern for me (and this fron a guy who weaves over cork).

All you need on a hopper is rubber legs and elk hair wing. No laquered pheasant or turkey overwing, no medallion sheeting and no knotted hackle legs.

If you extend the body too far past the bend of the hook, you will have poor hook-ups. Only extend the body about 1/4 inch past the bend.


Good advise. RAW can come to the tying party.

[Marty]

Fulano, I am still fishing a two tone foam pattern I came up with back in the early 90s. There is not much to it, but it gets the job done. Here is the pattern

Hook: hopper #4
Thread: 3/0 color to match body.
Body: two tone foam, dark tan and tan or tan and yellow. Black over red works well too.
Under wing: yellow mallard
Over wing: Dark elk
Legs: rubber tied in a knot

The fly is tied like an elk hair caddis. If you would like further help email marty@parkcity.org

[chris]

Sorry, Chris I dont' get out much.


You'll get there, don't apologize to me, it is yourself you need to love.