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Simple, Precise, Realistic.
This one is pretty exciting to me because it's been a long time coming through tweaking and development. I was talking about this the other day with my son, and he reminded me that he has the original Project Hopper version 1 with rubber back legs and everything. He wouldn't give that back to me for $100 right now because he thinks he's pretty cool... Anyway, I digress. The Project Hopper has been tied in lots and lots of configurations over the past few years that I have been playing with it, and this version is perhaps the most time effective at the vise. With the help of my good friend Clint Vought (who is basically a bearded mini squatch with insane drafting skills) I was able to direct the design of a perfectly scaled cutter set from River Road Creations for a size 6-10. The cutters make this pattern quite a bit easier to tie, and you can even use these cutters for more than just this fly. I also started using it for the Slum Hopper with great success. Anyway, watch the video to see how to start with a block of foam, and end up with a very realistic and useful hopper pattern!
~ Cheech
Keep in mind that you can use a variety of foam and hooks for this pattern. The only really strong suggestion on this one is to use 6mm cross link foam for the body, and 1mm cross link foam for the pronotum. It will make your life easier when it comes to making the foam sit how it should without flaring too much. The Daiichi 1710 and TMC 5262 are also great options for hooks one this one. Also play with different colors of Trigger Point fibers on this one. I really like western caddis gray, march brown, white, and pale morning dun.
Material List
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| Hook: Fulling Mill 35105 Competition Heavyweight Hook Barbless - 8 | | |
| Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Wood Duck | | |
| Body: Rainy's Cross-Link Sheet Foam - Tan - 6 mm | | |
| Leg: MFC Foto Foam - Tan | | |
| Leg: Speckled Centipede Legs - Speckled Clear Tan - Medium | | |
| Pronotum: Rainy's Cross-Link Sheet Foam - Tan - 1 mm | | |
| Wing: EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers - Pale Morning Dun | | |
| Cutter: Project Hopper Foam Body Cutter Set - #10 | | |
| Adhesive: Fly Tyer's Z-Ment | | |
Other tools from the tutorial:
| Renzetti Traveler Vise 2000 (Pedestal) | | |
| C&F Design Bobbin | | |
| Dr. Slick Tungsten Carbide All Purpose Scissors, 4" | | |
Hi Cheech.
ReplyDeleteYou mention "EP Trigger Point Int'l Fibers - specifically "western caddis gray".
Try as a might, I cannot find this colour of Trigger Point fibres on your website, even though it is a valid colour from EP.
Help?
It's a valid color, but our website automatically updates inventory if we sell out of something. It makes it so you can't even select it if we are sold out. We get new inventory every week, so make sure to check back in about 7 days to see if we get it back in stock. In the meantime, you can use tan EP fibers as well.
DeleteWhen will you have more size 10 project hopper cutters in stock, or can I order some?
ReplyDeleteWe sold out of them pretty quickly after the video. We are hopeful to restock our supply within the next 10 days or so.
Delete