Dry FliesBaby Boy Hopper
The Baby Boy Hopper is Charlie Craven's downsized version of his popular Charlie Boy Hopper pattern. Designed for situations when trout are keyed in on smaller grasshoppers or when fishing pressured water where a more subtle presentation is needed, this compact foam hopper delivers the same fish-catching action in a smaller package. The chartreuse foam body and matching rubber legs create a highly visible terrestrial pattern that floats like a cork.
Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases the effectiveness of downsizing proven patterns for selective fish. The Baby Boy Hopper maintains all the key elements that make the Charlie Boy Hopper effective - the buoyant foam body, kicking rubber legs, and natural deer hair wing - but in a more delicate size 14 package. The chartreuse coloration mimics the bright green grasshoppers common in late summer meadows while providing excellent visibility for the angler.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 2499SP-BL, #14
Thread: UNI 8/0, olive dun
Body: Thin Fly Foam, 2mm, chartreuse
Legs: Round Rubberlegs, medium, chartreuse
Wing: Deer Hair
Adhesive: Zap-A-Gap
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during summer and early fall when grasshopper activity peaks. Prime time is mid-morning through late afternoon when hoppers are most active in streamside vegetation.
Presentation
Cast tight to grassy banks and let the fly drift naturally. A slight twitch can trigger strikes by mimicking a struggling hopper. The foam body ensures the fly lands with an audible "plop" that attracts fish.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fish are refusing larger hopper patterns or when fishing heavily pressured water. Also excellent on smaller streams where a size 14 better matches the available forage.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly meadow streams with grassy banks where grasshoppers naturally fall into the water. Effective along undercut banks, near overhanging grass, and in slower pools adjacent to terrestrial habitat.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader tapering to 4X-5X tippet. The buoyant foam allows this pattern to support a small nymph dropper without sacrificing floatation.
Visibility & Floatation
The chartreuse foam body provides exceptional visibility for the angler while the deer hair wing adds a natural silhouette. The closed-cell foam ensures the fly rides high indefinitely without waterlogging.
