This is the most complete, clearest, and informative "hopper/dropper" lesson I have ever watched. can't wait to get out on the water and try it. Thanks Joe
Hey HOWDY !!!! This is One of the BEST Tutorials EVER !!!!!! “ ON - POINT !!! “. Thank You SO MUCH !!!!!!! This is Phenomenal Actually …… So Much POOR content out there …… This is REAL & HELPFUL !!!!!! Much Thanks !!!! ✨🎣💫
3 to 1 is a good ratio! Nothing sucks in fishing more than knowing that you just put a fish on a death timer, or blinded it because the dropper wrapped around your fish and hooked it in the eye, or belly or gills!
@@redsflyshop hah!! I forgot I watched this video! Well, I guess that's a sign from the universe to head out with a dry dropper rig! Thursday is the day!! I'm so excited!
Vertical drift is something a lot of fly fisherman are not aware of when it comes to nymph fishing. Adding split shots can also help to compensate the vertical currents.
More and more I'm finding that I guide with Hopper Dropper rigs, so that we can be mobile and swap out to a streamer or a straight dry fly quickly, no fuss. Moving it around the river is so much faster than an indicator as well.
Awesome, straightforward info as always Joe! Thank you. 😊 One additional thing I like to do is to tie the dropper tippet through the eye on the hopper so you can use a loop knot to attach the tippet to the hopper. This lets the dropper tippet swivel and let’s the nymph sink more readily.
Great info, as always, Joe. Couldn't agree more on the oversized beadheads, which is part of the reason I most often use perdigons as my dropper when flows are high.
Great video. Covered a lot of good detail while still being digestible. The illustration and physical example of the flies really helped me understand exactly what you are taking about. Would love to see more videos like this.
Very good explanation of river current speed dynamics. Also applies to nymph/indicator fishing. Looking a bit head I've has success using hopper with small beetle or terrestrial as a dropper. Both flies on the surface and trout considering the hopper but shies away often grab the smaller terrestrial pattern. Give it a try!
Let the nymph catch up so the presentation is more natural through the drift. I always did this when using a floating indicator esp in fast water but wasn’t sure if it was the proper technique. Thanks for the confirmation!
Interesting take. Keep hopper floating drag free for natural presentation. Lengthen the dropper tippet to get the dropper deeper. Finally use droppers that don’t have a lot of water drag but be aware they the dropper presentation will be unnaturally fast.
Wow…. This just might be a huge tool in my toolbox!! Question… will the non slip mono loop knot work if I use a fluorocarbon tippet to help the nymph drop more of a straight drop below the hopper? Thanks for all your videos..🎣🎣🎣🎣
Why not use the analogy of nymph fishing with a strike indicator? Because that’s what hopper-dropper fishing is. Either use a heavier nymph if you’re fishing short drifts or lengthen the distance of the dropper. Generally length 3x the depth you’re fishing
Great question. I personally don't change anything, but do find that Weight Forward lines are much better than Double Taper lines. Likely your existing line will turn over a (2) fly rig just fine. Just keep your leader at 7.5' or less for the ease of casting.
I have been fishing fast water and avoid indicators so I went to the very large chubby Chernobyl to help my fly from drowning. I’ll try to downsize and see if I become more effective. Thanks for the info!
Do hopper dropper setups work in the middle of the river? Or more so to be used on the bank? I know the nymph would work in the middle but I guess what I’m wondering is will fish still come up and take a hopper or chubby chernoble away from the banks?
Oh absolutely, it's a great question. I have found that when anglers fish a "hopper dropper" with the mentality they are fishing the nymph, not just the dry fly, both flies become more productive because you are casting to where most of the fish are. Looking for unique boulders, seamlines, drop offs, etc. So YES absolutely it works mid river. Just follow your gut instincts and you'll find that both patterns are more productive.
