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Side photograph of a tan Parachute Hopper fly with a white post and horizontal hackleRepresentative photo · one form in this family

Fly family · guide 21

Grasshopper Patterns

A family of foam, hair, and low-riding dry flies used to imitate grasshoppers and other large terrestrials.

Size range
#6–14
Common colors
tan, yellow, olive, brown
Imitates
grasshopper, large terrestrial
How to recognize it

Hopper patterns share a substantial body and long rear-leg impression, but foam, deer hair, wing construction, and waterline differ widely among named patterns.

Side photograph of a tan Parachute Hopper fly with a white post and horizontal hackle
Representative photo · one form in this family

Parachute Hopper

The parachute construction changes the waterline and visibility, so it is shown as a distinct family form rather than a cosmetic variation.

View
family comparison — parachute-hackle profile
Color shown
tan, brown, and white
Look for
A visible post and horizontal parachute hackle support a lower body and broad wing profile.
Open full-size photo ↗

On the water

Choose the right version.

Use these tips as a starting point. The river, depth, insects, and fish behavior still decide the final presentation.

01

Why it works

  • A substantial body and rear-leg impression offer trout a high-calorie terrestrial shape that is easy to notice in the right season.
  • Foam, clipped hair, rubber legs, and parachute hackle let different patterns trade buoyancy, movement, visibility, and delicacy.
  • A buoyant hopper can also support a carefully sized dropper, but that rigging role does not turn every large dry into the same fly.
02

When to use it

  • When grasshoppers are active along grassy banks, meadows, or wind-exposed edges.
  • From late morning through evening on warm terrestrial days, especially when wind can carry land insects to the water.
  • When current and fish size justify a substantial surface fly rather than a small ant or beetle.
03

How to fish it

  • Land the fly near likely bank-side entry points, then let it dead-drift through the full lane before lifting for another cast.
  • Add an occasional short twitch when natural hoppers are active, but stop immediately and restore slack so the fly does not skate unnaturally.
  • For a hopper-dropper rig, match the dry's buoyancy to the dropper's weight and keep the combination light enough to cast and land safely.
04

Mistakes to avoid

  • Treating hopper-dropper as an exact fly.
  • Using one foam profile for all hopper patterns.

Make the choice

Choose the form before the color.

A family name is only a starting point. Use the waterline, construction, and observed food to narrow it to the form that fits the river.

  1. Choose a foam hopper when flotation, visibility, and dropper support are more important than a delicate landing.
  2. Choose a Letort Hopper when a slimmer natural hair-wing profile is better suited to clear or calmer water.
  3. Choose a long-legged Henry's Fork form when extra motion and a larger silhouette fit broken water or active fish.
  4. Choose a Parachute Hopper when a lower waterline and a highly visible post help track the fly without a bulky foam body.

Common variations

Small changes can make a different fly.

Four verified, non-AI photographs compare Parachute, foam-body, Letort, and Henry's Fork hopper forms. Waterline, leg motion, material bulk, and visibility remain explicit instead of being collapsed into one generic hopper.

Parachute Hopper

A tan hair-wing form with a visible post and horizontal parachute hackle.
Colors shown
tan, brown, white post
Weighting
Unweighted dry; parachute construction changes the waterline.

Foam Hopper

A bright segmented foam body with a clipped deer-hair head for maximum buoyancy.
Colors shown
yellow, natural deer hair
Weighting
Unweighted high-floating form.

Letort Hopper

A slim dubbed body and swept deer-hair wing create a leaner traditional profile.
Colors shown
pale yellow, natural deer hair
Weighting
Unweighted dry form.

Henry's Fork Hopper

A pale buoyant body, tall hair wing, and long rubber legs create an active silhouette.
Colors shown
cream, yellow, natural hair, tan legs
Weighting
Unweighted dry form; rubber legs add motion, not ballast.

Related patterns

Chubby Chernobyl ↗Stimulator ↗Ant Patterns ↗Beetle Patterns ↗

How this guide was checked

Fly information and photo sources.

Guide checked on 2026-07-13. Every image has its own source and usage record. Natural insects and hand-tied flies can vary in shape and proportion.

Pattern sources

Orvis NewsFive Top Tandem-Rig Combos for Trout↗Orvis NewsHow to Tie and Fish Tandem Rigs↗Orvis NewsDon't Wait Until Summer to Fish Terrestrials↗

Image credits