Winter Hoppers

[mic]

Did anyone else notice this comment from Berry's fishing report:  Conventional wisdom states that hopper fishing begins in late summer. I reject this idea and fish them all year. I favor shorter leaders (seven and a half foot 4X) and a stiff six weight rod to proper deliver these weighty flies. My favorite flies are Dave’s hoppers (#10) and the western pink lady (#8). To increase hook ups I always use a dropper. I am currently using a ruby or root beer midge in size eighteen on a three foot or longer tippet (depending on the depth of the water I am fishing).

Does anyone else fish hoppers in the winter?

[fishinwrench]

In his case it is an indicator for the midge, but a few will probably hit the hopper (trout are stupid, they hit bobbers too).

I have done well on Ants and Beetles during Winter in the trout parks so a hopper wouldn't be much of a stretch.

[jtram]

Amery destroyed the trout fishes on hoppers last weekend. I tend to throw lead in the winter but he caught as many or more than me on his hopper. (and thats A LOT)

[Ham]

I'll throw a hopper pattern any time the wind blows and especially if a trout strikes my indicator. If I get three takes on the indicator, I will time on a Hopper of some sort every time. 

 

[podum]

i don't use "indicators" unless you call a hopper an indicator

[Ham]

5 hours ago, podum said:

i don't use "indicators" unless you call a hopper an indicator

Man, I love bobber fishing! I really enjoy watching the indicator bouncing along anticipating it going under. Love it!

[Greasy B]

I usually try to catch at least one on a hopper every thanksgiving weekend but with the around the clock rain this year I hardly changed flys. Nothing raises hatchery trout like a bobber, a few years back Dan made a some bobber flys but adding the hook put the fish off. 

[trythisonemv]

Never tried a hopper in winter but muddler skimmed through a riffle does the same. Killed at roaring several times doing this.

[Al Agnew]

Trout aren't always selective in their feeding.  They can zone in on one thing when that thing is reasonably abundant, but a lot of the time they eat what they can just like a bass.  A hopper makes a good "indicator" fly because it's big and floats well, but any fly that is good sized and bouyant will probably work just as well.  I like to use Stimulators, with a lot of floatant on them, the same as hoppers.

[Gavin]

Have caught plenty of trout on a Madame X all year long. Better bet in the Summer-LaterFall when crickets and hoppers are abundant but they will eat just about anything if they are active. Stupid aggressive fish usually, amazingly selective on rare occasions. Will be selective  5% (just a guess) of the time if feeding, but if inactive you are wasting your time.