Hopper Time

If you are looking for a challenging but fun pattern to tie for hopper season, take a look at the Hollywood Hopper.
It was a challenge for me to come up with this one, but once I figured it out, I loved it.   Feel free to make changes as needed but do this for me.  Have fun and get out and fish!  These are also available from Montana Fly Company and their dealers.  Here is one online shop that carries all of my patterns with MFC.  www.dreamdriftflies.com



The Hollywood Hopper from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.

Juan's Hollywood Hopper

A new hopper pattern for you for you to start tying to be ready in August.  This pattern is a lower riding, more realistic pattern than the Hopper Juan.  While it may look complicated, after trying it a few times, it all comes together.  The hardest part is getting all the materials together.  A recent change has me using a Chernobyl taper cutter to get a more precise body cut, otherwise everything else is the same.
Pull out the foam and Super 77, order some eyes and legs and get started.

Make the Best of It.

When I thought about fishing the Ark today, I imaged a dark, cloudy day, occasionally spitting snow and about 1:00 or so the BWOs would come off and the fish would rise to them in the clear, low water.  Well  today was not quite what I had imaged.  After a few days of warm weather, some of the lower elevation snow was melting and made it's way to the river.  While it was slowly dropping and clearing, it definitely  was not how I had hoped it would be.  The day started clear and cold.  The wind was blowing as it always does this time of year.  The water was higher and off color and the fishing was a bit harder than usual.   After about an hour of fishing I had a terrible thought.  Could a skunk be coming?  I haven't been skunked since leaving the Rio Grande in New Mexico where on any given day it could happen, but on the Arkansas?  Really? I realized this is possible but not for me.  I have invested way too much time in this passion and since this was not the Rio Grande, I didn't have to worry.  The fish would come.  Soon the first fish and second fish were found in a usual spot and on a usual fly, the cream caddis larva.  With the weather hot and cold, snow and bright sunshine, the fishing was still slow.   I kept telling myself to throw on a woolly bugger, as I love to fish them in this type of water and in these conditions.  When I did, it was pretty intense.  Follows right to the rod tip and then they were gone.  I knew I would see lots of fish this way and also assumed I could hook up with 1 out of 4 or 5 follows and I did.  The rest of the day was spent this way all the while I was waiting for the BWOs to start emerging.  I saw about a handful and that was it.  The sun would come out after a few minutes and the bugs would disappear along with the clouds.  I didn't see a single rise all day long and after a good day on the water and some testing of new patterns, I called it a day and headed home.  Some days, no matter how bad, are just plain better than sitting in front of a computer at work.    

Love the old cars in the canyon.  Do they ever move them?

First fish on the bugger.

Lots of these in the water.  

Pretty little things.  

Although I see these the most, I still throw a cream colored one and they eat it.  Hmm, I wonder if they would eat an olive one????

About a size 14

There were only a few of these out today.  I didn't see a single rise today.  

Caddis are out, but not many.

Testing out a new hopper pattern.  It floated well but it needs to be tweaked a bit before summer.

This is a cool pattern that I want to use more on this river.  It's a Jeremy's Arizona Prince.

I eventually hooked up with a few of these.

 Currently my favorite fly on the Ark. My cream caddis larva.

Hopper Juan Tying Video

Hey guys, I am still alive and well.  I survived the holidays and I also survived going with out a computer for several days.  I finally got it fixed and want to thank Rick for helping me out during the busy times.  Thanks!!
I lost all of my videos on the computer, but fortunately for us, I still had them on the camera.  I uploaded a couple of foam flies for you to watch.  These were filmed during my "Working with Foam" class on 12/18/09.  They are a bit long, but you'll get the point.  Enjoy them and let me know what you would like to see and I can try my best to do so. 

Don't forget that I will be in Denver for 3 days this upcoming weekend and would love to meet you guys that tune in.  Stop by and say hi. 

Tying the Club Sandwich in HD from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.




Tying the Hopper Juan from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.
Tied during the "Working with Foam" class on 12/18/09. The Hopper Juan is my signature pattern that works great as a hopper or stonefly. I fish this thing about 10 months of the year, usually followed by a tungsten Glossy Back Baetis as a dropper and have tons of fun fishing this way.

The Club Sandwich/Triple Decker Fly

Club Sandwich #12

Hook: #6-12 3xl hook

Body: 3 pieces of 2mm foam glued together and stamped out with a cutter

Thread: 6/0 or UTC 140 Denier

Legs: Tan Rubber Legs barred with marker

Hair: Elk or Deer

Use the thread to form segmentation on this fly. Slit the foam with a razor blade to recess on the hook shank and use super glue applied to thread before doing so to help hold onto the shank. Make sure the segments are even spaced. I start the thread about the 50% point on the hook and work back to the tail of the fly and then back up the shank of the hook making the segments as I go. Form the legs by using three strands at a time and place a knot in two rubber pieces. Tie them in at two separate points or segments. Separate the three strands on both the rear and front legs. Clip out two strands on the rear portion. Pick the best angled leg and remove the other two. On the front legs, I clip both top and bottom strands. Use a bodkin or needle to pierce through the middle portion of the body. Then insert a threader and double over a piece of rubber leg and pull through. Trim to length.

I prefer tying these flies with a hair wing or something on top to make them land hook down.



Here is the video tutorial:


Tying the Club Sandwich in HD from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.