Purple Bionic Hopper
Lance - July 2025
Ispent several summers testing various grasshopper imitations in search of fly design traits that influence catch rate. What I found were some design attributes that consistently pique the interest of Trout.The Bionic hopper employs 3 triggers that I believe set it apart from other imitations: The Bionic Hopper: 1 - uses a cylinder foam body to better match the silhouette of a grasshoppers abdomen. 2 - utilizes long, wiggly legs, that sit well away from the body of the fly providing silhouette and movement. 3 - is designed to sit lower in the water to more accurately imitate the impression a hopper leaves when resting in/on the surface.What this pattern lacks in “bin appeal” (it’s admittedly not as neat looking as many modern hopper imitations) it makes up when fishing the Bionic Hopper as it is a fish favorite.The Bionic Hopper floats well, is easy to see, and combines these trigger traits to help you get more hopper eats. 🙌
- Hook: TMC 100 Dry Fly Hook - 10 - 25 Pack
- Hook (Alternate): Gamakatsu S10 Executive Series Dry Fly Hook - 10
- Thread: Danville 140 Denier Waxed Flymaster Plus Thread - Purple
- Thread (Alternate): Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 6/0 Bulk Spool - Purple
- Tail/tag: Krystal Flash - Fl. Orange
- Tail/tag (Alternate): Krystal Flash - UV Orange
- Abdomen: Fulling Mill Hard Foam Cylinder - Purple - 5mm
- Abdomen (Alternate): Fulling Mill Hard Foam Block - Purple
- Abdomen (Alternate Cutter): Gunville Foam Booby & Body Cutter Set
- Foam Wing : Fly Tying Foam - 2mm - Brown
- Foam Wing (Alternate): Rainy's Cross-Link Sheet Foam - 2 mm - Insect Brown
- Wing 1: EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers - White
- Wing 1 (Alternate): Para Post Wing Material - White
- Back Legs: Barred Sexi Floss - Medium - Tan
- Back Legs (Alternate): Barred Sexi Floss - Medium - Amber
- Wing 2: EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers - White
- Wing 2 (Alternate): Para Post Wing Material - White
- Front Legs: UNI Flexx - Camel
- Front Legs (Alternate): Life-Flex Spandex Material - Ginger
