Foam Park Hopper

Last year about this time we took a look at Beetles and Ants as we explored the terrestrial tidbits of interest to feeding Trout. When I took a poll asking for suggestions for our Fly of the Week Mr. Wheeler chimed in with this pattern. He is so confident in this simple grasshopper that he's challenging Callie and Shandy to a bet involving Skittles and Yoga pants. I'm staying out of it.

In any case, the Foam Park Hopper gets it's name from our nation's first national park, Yellowstone. It was originally tyed for the meadowy sections of the Gibbon and Lamar rivers where in the early fall grasshoppers are abundant and end up on the resident Trouts menu. While we are a bit of a drive from Old Faithful, we nevertheless have fish more than willing to snack on any navigationally challenged hoppers.

As we slip into late summer and fall these critters move onto the food chain and become a good option on any Trout stream or lake. Yes, I said lake. Nick's fondness for this red legged foam concoction has been nurtured by his successful forays on a particular area lake. While it would be rude to just blurt out the name of this body of water, I can tell you that it has popped up in the newsletter lately... just say'n.

Hook: Daiichi 1170 sz 10-12
Thread: Uni 6/0 Tan
Body: Tan Foam
Legs: Rubber legs or Crazy Legs
Head:Tan Fine and Dry Dubbing/Deer Hair
Wing: Tan Nymph Skin w/Deer Hair