Project Hopper 3.0

Cheech - September 2025

For years I’ve been chasing the best grasshopper fly pattern in my ongoing project called Project Hopper. Version 3.0 is my most refined design yet—and it became especially meaningful while I was recovering from surgery.

This hopper fly pattern checks all the boxes:
✔️ Lands upright every time
✔️ Floats a moderate dry-dropper rig
✔️ Highly visible without a bulky indicator
✔️ Features the most durable hopper legs I’ve ever tied

The best part? You don’t need special cutters or fancy tools—the same simple geometry works from size 12 up to size 4.

If you’ve been searching for a hopper pattern for trout, bass, or panfish that’s easy to tie and holds up on the water, give Project Hopper 3.0 a try.

Material List

Hook: Mustad - Classic Dry Hook R50AP - 8
Hook (Alternate): Fulling Mill 5150 Tactical Shorty Non-Reflective Black Hook - Barbless - 8
Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 6/0 Bulk Spool - Tan
Thread (Alternate): Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 6/0 Bulk Spool - Brown
Body: Rainy's Cross-Link Sheet Foam - 4 mm - Tan
Body (Alternate): MFC - High Rise Foam - 4mm - Tan
Body 1 / Leg / : Rainy's Cross-Link Sheet Foam - 0.5mm - Tan
Body 1 / Leg (Alternate): MFC - High Rise Foam - 0.5mm - Tan
Body 2: Rainy's Cross-Link Sheet Foam - 0.5mm - Black
Body 2 Alternate: MFC - High Rise Foam - 0.5mm - Black
Wing: Rainy's Cross-Link Sheet Foam - 1 mm - Tan
Wing (Alternate): MFC - High Rise Foam - 1mm - Tan
Leg: Speckled Centipede Legs - Medium - Speckled Clear Tan
Leg (Alternate): Speckled Centipede Legs - Medium - Speckled Tan/Brown
Back Leg: Speckled Centipede Legs - Medium - Speckled Red
Back Leg (Alternate): Speckled Centipede Legs - Medium - Yellow/Black/Red
Indicator : Fly Tying Foam - 2mm - Yellow
Indicator (Alternate): Fly Tying Foam - 2mm - Orange
Glue: Fly Tyer's Z-Ment
Cautery Tool: Cautery Tool
Razor: Stonfo Trimmer Slicer with Precise Bodkin