Dave's Hopper Dry Flies – Yellow Foam Grasshopper (Size 8) | The Fly Fishing Place

Meet Dave's Hopper, a bright yellow grasshopper dry fly built on buoyant foam that rides confidently on the surface. The pattern leverages a proven Dave Whitlock design to present a natural profile while staying afloat in warm, light-current conditions. This set includes six flies on size 8 hooks, offering consistency and quick deployment for busy days on the water.

Why anglers reach for this hopper is simple: visibility and action. The high-contrast yellow body helps you track the fly in bright light, and the foam construction resists waterlogging so it stays on the surface longer. The pattern hints at a grasshopper and stonefly feel that can encourage a strike from trout and other surface feeders without requiring a steep learning curve.

• Dry flies for trout, bass, panfish or crappie fishing; unsinkable foam hoppers float high and dry
• Ideal for bank-popping in the heat of summer, or for probing pocket water any time
• Great strike inducing grasshopper or stonefly adult pattern; a thoughtful gift for anglers
• Set of 6 flies, hook size 8, with an improved Dave Whitlock dry fly pattern
• Perfect for indicator fishing when tied with a beaded nymph dropper

Practical tips and real-life use cases

Use the hopper as a surface search tool on calm mornings or breezy days where visibility matters. Pair with a beaded nymph dropper for indicator fishing, a common tactic for exploring feeding lanes without spooking fish. In shallow pocket water, this pattern can drift naturally with the current, inviting lively takes from wary fish.

• Bank-side sessions: float, watch, and react to surface takes as the light shifts
• Mid-day sessions: probe water seams and pocket edges where trout feed near the surface

Whether you’re shopping for a thoughtful angling gift or replenishing your dry fly box, this six-pack provides a consistent, instantly usable option that respects the needs of surface-focused fishing. While results can vary with conditions, many anglers find Dave's Hopper to be a reliable companion for sunny days and fast-moving water.