Dry FliesThunder Thighs Hopper
The Thunder Thighs Hopper is a highly realistic grasshopper imitation featuring distinctive oversized foam legs that mimic the powerful hind legs of natural hoppers. This pattern combines multiple foam colors in peach, tan, and orange to create a lifelike body, a white poly yarn wing for visibility, barred sexi-floss leg accents, an orange foam hot spot, and a Hendrickson pink dubbing thorax. The elaborate leg construction is the signature element that gives this pattern its name and effectiveness.
Summer, Fall
Advanced
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents an advanced approach to hopper imitation that emphasizes realism in the leg construction. The "Thunder Thighs" name references the oversized foam hind legs that accurately mimic the muscular jumping legs of grasshoppers - a key trigger for selective trout. The video demonstrates Craven's technique for creating the elaborate foam legs, which involves cutting and shaping the foam to achieve the distinctive profile. The multi-colored foam body (peach over tan) creates the subtle coloration variation seen in natural hoppers. The orange hot spot serves as an attractor element while the Hendrickson pink thorax provides a subtle undercolor. The white poly yarn wing aids visibility for the angler while suggesting the folded wings of a natural hopper.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 5262, #4-8
Thread: Veevus 8/0, pink
Body: Thin Fly Foam (2mm), peach and tan
Wing: Polypropylene Macrame Yarn, white
Legs: Sexi-Floss (MFC, small barred), tan
Legs 2: Thin Fly Foam (2mm), peach and tan
Hot Spot: Thin Fly Foam (2mm), orange
Thorax: Superfine Dubbing, Hendrickson pink
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during summer and early fall when grasshoppers are abundant and active. Peak productivity occurs during warm, windy afternoons when hoppers are blown onto the water.
Presentation
Fish with a "plop" cast that lands the fly with slight impact to simulate a hopper falling on the water. Follow with a dead drift, occasionally adding subtle twitches to suggest a struggling insect.
When to Use
Select this pattern when hoppers are visible in bankside vegetation or when trout are actively looking for large terrestrials. Particularly effective on larger fish that prefer substantial meals during terrestrial season.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly meadow streams and rivers with grassy banks where grasshoppers are abundant. Works well along undercut banks, near overhanging vegetation, and in foam lines.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader tapering to 2X-3X tippet for adequate turnover of this larger pattern. Can serve as an excellent dry-dropper anchor fly, supporting nymphs 18-24 inches below.
Visibility & Floatation
The white poly yarn wing provides excellent visibility for the angler. Multiple foam layers ensure outstanding flotation even in turbulent water. The realistic leg profile helps the fly land and sit correctly on the surface.
