Dry FliesCharlie Boy Hopper

The Charlie Boy Hopper is a popular terrestrial dry fly pattern designed to imitate a grasshopper. With its foam body, it floats well and is highly visible, making it a great choice for summer and early fall fishing when hoppers are abundant on the water's surface.

Season
Summer, Fall
Difficulty
Intermediate
Target Species
Trout
Charlie Boy Hopper - Image source: Dakota Angler
Image source: Dakota Angler

Overview

The Charlie Boy Hopper is a high-floating terrestrial pattern tied primarily with foam for durability and buoyancy. It features a foam body folded over a dubbed underbody, rubber legs for motion, and a visible wing made from synthetic yarn or deer hair. This pattern is quick to tie and tough enough to handle multiple fish, making it a summer essential for hopper-dropper setups or as a solo attractor dry.

Pattern Characteristics

Intermediate Difficulty
Trout
Moving Water
Summer
Fall
Imitates: Grasshopper

Materials

Hook: TMC 100SP-BL #8-10, or TMC 5212 or TMC 5262 #4-8
Thread: Tan 3/0 Monocord
Binder Strip: 2mm x 2mm piece of foam
Body: Tan 2mm Thin Fly Foam
Legs: Brown Medium Round Rubber Legs
Wing: Natural Deer Hair
Glue: Zap-A-Gap CA Glue
Tool: Double Edge Razor Blades

Fishing Tips

Season

The Charlie Boy Hopper is most effective in late summer and early fall, when real grasshoppers are most active.

Presentation

Cast the fly near the bank and let it drift naturally with the current. A twitching retrieve can also provoke strikes.

When to Use

Use this fly when grasshoppers are seen on or near the water's surface, or when fish are feeding on top.

Water Type

This fly excels in moving water, particularly in rivers and streams.

Rigging Suggestions

Use a standard dry fly setup with a floating line and 9-foot leader.

Visibility & Floatation

The closed cell foam body makes this fly highly buoyant and visible. The orange foam indicator on top adds additional visibility.

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