Presentation is key when fishing. There are certainly presentation techniques that work well but it also fun to try different ways to get a hook up.
Currently, it is hopper time on many Montana rivers. Fish are actively targeting floating terrestrials. Big hoppers are a mouthful that trout and other species can’t resist.
Many popular hopper patterns are made from foam. This pattern is easy to tie and of course floats well. I am not a super fan of foam in my hoppers and prefer heavier, more natural hair and other durable materials in my flies.
The foam does offer a unique presentation opportunity. Fish don’t just eat floating hoppers, drowned terrestrials are just as tasty and do not require fish, especially BIG FISH, to expose themselves to the surface, where predators can target them.
I have found that drowning my foam ties works well. Use a 3 way swivel concept to present this hopper. This can be done with swivels and hardware or by leaving a tag lead on the leader to attach an anchoring weight to the rig.
The foam floater now becomes a submerged floated bait. The presentation may look like a drowned hopper, sculpin, crayfish, or just something yummy. Fish are opportunistic feeders and have just moments to choose to make a meal out of drifting meals.
The foam hopper will keep suspended above the bottom, being held down by just enough weight to bounce the bottom. The presentation will be right in front of the fish. Mend the line for a natural drift and hang on. Usually, a strike indicator or bobber is not needed. The strikes are often hard and stout. Set the hook when you see any unusual drift behavior and hang on.
Adjust the dropper weight length to place the floating hopper where the fish are holding and feeding. This technique works great during the Salmon Fly hatch, using foam stonefly patterns. Big fish can always make room for one more bite if the fly is presented in front of their mouth.
I have used this technique with a long spinning rod or fly rods. Most strikes will be hard and fast. Set the sharpened hook and hand on. If you can survive the first strong run, you have a chance of landing a monster. Big Browns feed voraciously in the Fall as they prepare to spawn. A big mouthful will attract their attention faster than a midge.
Hop until you drop!
Montana Grant
