The pattern notebook · dry
GFA Hopper
How do you tie a GFA Hopper?
GFA Hopper is a dry fly pattern for trout. Find its 7 materials and 24 tying steps below.
- Difficulty
- 3 of 5
- Target species
- trout
- Pattern designer
- Walter Wiese
Added to catalog · Updated
At the vise
Materials
- Hook: Hook #10-14
- Thread: White
- Dubbing: Synthetic blend of chartreuse, copper, and green
- Foam: 2mm Yellow
- Elk Hair: Natural
- Foam: Orange
- Legs: Silicone, Tan
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Tying instructions
Secure hook in vise and start thread at the eye.
Wrap thread down the shank to the bend.
Create a dubbing noodle with the synthetic blend of chartreuse, copper, and green dubbing.
Wrap the dubbing noodle forward in close touching spirals to create a base for the next steps.
Continue adding dubbing until you reach the head of the fly.
Cut a small strip of yellow 2mm foam, about a hook-gap in length, and round over the ends.
Measure the foam to length, sticking out just slightly past the hook bend, and secure it to the top of the hook shank.
Color the white thread with a yellow marker.
Secure the foam to the top of the fly with tight thread wraps over the back until you reach the bend of the hook.
Reverse the thread's direction and continue securing it back up towards the head of the fly.
Select a small clump of natural elk hair and brush out any of the small insulating fibers.
Add the elk hair to a hair stacker to even out the edges.
Measure the elk hair to length, about the size of the foam, and secure it to the top of the fly with a couple of loose securing wraps before tightening it down.
Trim away any excess fibers with a razor blade.
Wrap back up towards the head of the fly, ensuring everything is well secured.
Create another dubbing noodle and begin wrapping back towards the elk hair.
Trim the foam to length.
Fold the foam backwards and secure it tightly in place.
Cut out a small section of orange foam and secure it tightly in place.
Secure tan silicone legs to either side of the fly, starting by securing it loosely with a single thread wrap, followed by additional securing wraps.
Cut the legs to length, with the back legs roughly the size of the body and the front legs slightly shorter.
Add another dubbing noodle, covering up any visible thread wraps, and finish at the head of the fly.
Paint over the thread once more and whip finish to secure everything in place.
Snip the thread free and brush it out to give it a nice, buggy look.