Claret Hopper Fly

About the Claret Hopper Trout Fly

The Claret Hopper is a classic loch-style stillwater dry fly and one of the most reliable hopper patterns for wild brown trout. Rather than copying one particular insect, it works as a suggestive, "general" fly: its claret seal's-fur-style body and trailing knotted legs hint at a hatching midge, a drowned hawthorn or heather fly, a small daddy or a sedge struggling in the surface film. Claret is a deadly colour for trout, especially over peat-stained water and in low, flat light.

The fly's knotted pheasant-tail legs splay to either side and sit it low in the surface film rather than high on top, leaving the tempting footprint that pulls fish up for a look.

Fishing Tips:

Best fished from late spring right through autumn. It is at its best when trout are looking up and feeding on or just under the surface.

How to fish

Traditionally fished on a floating line as one of a team of three, often on the top dropper. Cast out and either leave it static in the film or inch it back with a slow figure-of-eight; on harder days a gentle pull to "draw" fish up can trigger a take. Expect quiet, confident slurps rather than splashy rises, so watch the fly closely and tighten into the take. A touch of floatant on the hackle and legs, leaving the body to sit in the film, keeps it fishing in the killing zone.

Creator of this trout fly: Sid Knight

Tier of this trout fly: Sid Knight

Country of origin for this trout fly: England

This trout fly is designed to be fished on Dams & Reservoirs, Still Water