To most, the dry, pale shade of yellow that overcomes our lawns, fields and hillsides is a sign that the dog days of summer are upon us. To fly fishermen, however, late summer in Montana is synonymous with low water and big hoppers.

While our beloved summer stonefly and mayfly hatches hold a special place in our hearts and minds, we long for those warm afternoons throwing hoppers to the bank: gin-clear water, eager trout and comically large foam hopper imitations. Twitch ‘em, skate ‘em or tuck ‘em tight to an undercut bank— however you chose to fish them, consider the following tips when chasing trophy trout on hopper patterns this summer.

Tips for Fishing Hopper Fly Patterns

1. KK’s Henneberry Hopper

This fly has raised the bar when it comes to realistic hopper patterns. MFC’s
Hennebury hopper is a durable, easy-to-see foam hopper pattern that we never leave home without. With life-like, LLS legs, this fly is best twitched from the boat in hard to reach places. The adjoined micro rubberlegs simulate that desperate twitch
grasshoppers make on the surface before they’re about to meet their fate. This fly is
available in several colors and fools trout wherever hoppers frequent.

2. Rio's Morrish Hopper

RIO’s Morrish Hopper is a timeless classic, showing us that less is more when it
comes to effective hopper imitations. No crazy, unnecessary materials here, just two
layers of foam and knotted rubber legs. The result is a simple, thin hopper that floats like
a cork. This, along with the numerous sizes and colors available in this pattern, is the
reason our guides have the Morrish Hopper in their boat bags every season.

3. Rio’s Juicy Hopper

Looking for a buoyant grasshopper fly pattern to work those fast rifles effectively? RIO’s Juicy Hopper is the ticket. With not three, but four layers of foam, this fly can last you all day if dressed properly. Additionally, four knotted legs and a detailed underside give this pattern a stark profile. That’s why RIO’s Juicy Hopper has the edge when trout are playing hard to get.

4. Sweetgrass Hopper

Step aside Chubby Chernobyl, the Sweetgrass Hopper fly pattern is coming through. This is an ungodly large hopper that fishes like live bait. It can hold large droppers like a Chubby, but is unquestionably more realistic. Between the tapered extended body and the red kicking legs, there is much to be appreciated in this perfectly tied hopper. No matter the stream, trout can’t resist it.

5. Panty Dropper Hopper

The Panty Dropper Hopper is a must-have for terrestrial fishing in western
Montana. With its buoyant foam body, lifelike legs, and low-riding profile, it perfectly
mimics the chunky grasshoppers that our trout go crazy for. A bright foam indicator
keeps it visible in rough water or complex drifts, so whether fished solo or as the “dry” in a hopper-dropper rig, the Panty Dropper Hopper is your ticket to explosive eats.

These are our top 5 best hopper fly patterns for Montana fly fishing and beyond. All of these hopper fly patterns can be found at our Missoula fly shop or our online fly shop.

Have more questions about hopper or terrestrial fly patterns? Give us a call and our Missoula fly fishing guides will be happy to help!