Hoppers

It is August which in my hood means terrestrial season. Got out for the past few days to see if there was a bite..

This really is an amazing landscape and spectacular spot to chase a trout. The ranches are for the most part still in tact so there is not the development you see on other main stems in the area. In many ways catching a fish is a bonus.

I was solo so besides fishing I spent a lot of time just hanging out on the river. Kind of fun having no agenda and being on your own schedule. This is one of my favorite views. I could sit here for hours, which I did.

Fishing was slow. I managed to get a few slaps/high fives each day but can count on one hand the number of legit eats. Folks were nymphing up a few if you were willing to put on a bobber but I'm committed to the dry.

This was fish of the trip. First fish of the season on the hopper and I was happy to put points on the board.

More to come as hopefully the bite picks up.

 

[dflett68]

wow, that first landscape shot... excruciating beauty.

 

[Draketake]

Was fortunate to live/work in that exact area all through the 80's.

Loved fishing Foam Beetles this time of year there.

Have fun.

Bob

 

[TDub]

That looks sweet as hell. That fish may be small for a Swimmy fish, but it's a pretty one.

 

[MGM]

Kudos! Anything on a dry is sweet. Hoppers extra sweet.

 

[TicTokCroc]

Can confirm, hoppers out in force in eastern ID

 

[swimmy]

Got out for a float today. Love the lower river.

I pretty much fished dries all day and didn't touch a fish. My friend was not as stubborn and got a decent one drifting a sculpin pattern under the indicator.

I've never seen bears down here before but we were on this same stretch a few days ago and spotted one. Today we saw one again and I'm pretty sure it was different bear. Really cool.

Late in our day a good storm moved in. Looks like the headwaters are also getting heavy rain so I bet this thing is a mudhole tomorrow. Wife wants to get out so might need a plan B.

 

[SteelheadBee]

Stirring images, Swimmy. Way to go with sticking to the dry.

 

[_WW_]

I notice that your friend there is wearing fashion that is quite a few years out of date. Better warn him, if he's not careful he's gonna turn in to me.

 

[swimmy]

I notice that your friend there is wearing fashion that is quite a few years out of date. Better warn him, if he's not careful he's gonna turn in to me.

Right?

Camo hoody and cotton shorts? WTF?

 

[Old406Kid]

Right?

Camo hoody and cotton shorts? WTF?

That's still considered designer wear in my part of MT...hope it doesn't change too soon.

 

[Tom Butler]

Menu shift to hoppers here now as well.

 

[SpeyrodGB]

There’s nothing wrong camo. I’ll pass on the hood part and cotton shorts. Synthetics dry much faster.

 

[swimmy]

Got out with the wife today. The hopper bite was slow. Still hoping for some decent hopper fishing on the main stems.

But man, what a gorgeous day. This is how the dog days of summer should feel.

 

[Ryan Smart]

Found some willing hopper eaters a few weeks ago... love fishing hoppers! Most of the fish were browns, but the biggest of the day was this rainbow.

 

[kmudgn]

Over the years I used to tie all sorts of hoppers: Joe's, Dave's, Letort, etc.. The last few years I have just been tying a generic hopper/beetle called the Unsinkableetle. Its foam based, easy to tie and seems to catch as many fish as when I tied a specific bug. I tie it in two colors, brown and green and use appropriate version based on what I see.

 

[JackJester]

Thank You Kmudgn. I'm tying up some Unsinkableetles for my Montana trip in Sept. I usually fish stimulators or hopalators exclusively but sinking in the fast narrow streams i go to can be annoying. This is the recipe I found:

 

[kmudgn]

That is the exact video I used as a go-by for the pattern. I do color the eyes & body spots, but don't bother with the leg stripes. I tied up a few with an orange hot spot on the tail, but found it no better than red thread. Its just one of those flies that works. Good luck!

 

[swimmy]

Hopper bite continues to be slow for us. However from about 11-2 we did manage a few eats and put one decent one into the net.

Absolutely beautiful day though.

 

[Brute]

I’ve been looking at Davie McFail’s hopper patterns…no foam, knotted pheasant tail for legs…