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Twisted Foam Hopper Step-by-Step:
Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time for terrestrials!!
While my boxes are already stocked with a few personal favorites (Hippie Stomper, Charlie Boy Hopper, etc), I’m always on the lookout for something new to try. This winter one such pattern that caught my attention was Robert Williamson’s Twisted Foam Hopper.
An extended body pattern with a literal twist, the hopper seemed like the perfect opportunity to try out a new technique while prepping for the summertime sunfish.
| Materials: | ||
|---|---|---|
 2X Long Dry Fly (size 6-10) |  140 Denier (Tan) |  Chicone’s Fettuccine Foam (tan or yellow) |
 2mm Craft Foam (Tan) |  Antron (White) or elk hair (classic look) |  Round Rubber Legs (Tan or Brown) |
 Antron or Craft Foam (PINK, GREEN, YELLOW) |  Zap-a-gap or Super Glue |
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Twisted Foam Hopper Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:
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Tips and Tricks
- Hopper Season – Terrestrial season is a magic time of year in warmwater and coldwater streams alike. Eyes focused upwards, delicate rises give way to explosive attacks as large, weary fish throw caution to the wind. This is no more true than on warm breezy afternoons when terrestrials of all sorts are dislodged from shoreline vegetation and splash into the current below. Always keep a few hoppers on hand to take advantage of these moments. Just remember to size up the tippet when you tie one on. Then place that fly as close to the bank as you can and hold on.
- More than a Hopper – While Williamson’s pattern was designed as a hopper, I’ve seen Salmonfly variants posted online and even suggestions that it could be upsized in the presence of periodic cicadas. With Brood XXII set to emerge in our region next year, I may just have to give that a try…
- A Book Worth Owning – While Robert Williamson’s Creative Flies isn’t necessarily a well-known publication in all fly fishing circles, it is certainly one I’d recommend to any tyer. Beyond twisted foam, it focuses on a variety of innovative tying techniques including woven flies and, a new concept to me, “Air-filled bodies.”
Proof of Concept
Unfortunately, rain has dominated the forecast in the weeks since I returned from the Gulf Coast Classic. As a result, this pattern remains unproven for my purposes. Waters will drop soon, and I’m confident the Twisted Foam Hopper will prove its worth before summer is through.
Tight Line!
Chris
Species Caught on the Twisted Foam Hopper to Date:
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