GFA Hopper

The GFA hopper is one of the best beginner dry fly patterns to learn to tie. After of course you start with the very simple foam beetle. However once you learn the basics with the foam beetle, you will learn how to manage deer hair wings, and further manipulate foam for creating segmented bodies. Another great fly to try is the Chernobyl ant, however I really like the idea of a beginner learning how to manage deer hair so I chose this as the best next step in a beginners tying career. Deer hair wings are great to learn as many dry flies utilize them. Deer hair is hollow, so they add additional floatation for a fly, and with all that foam, this fly will never sink.

This GFA hopper is more than just a great beginner pattern. It is very effective for a wide range of conditions and fish species. For trout, my favorite time to fish them is in the summer time when the grasshoppers and other terrestrial bugs start moving around. Many times they will fall into the water, and the trout are there waiting for a big meal. These terrestrials tend to be able to get out of the water a bit easier than some other top water food sources, so trout move quickly to eat them in fear they might get away. This means incredibly violent strikes. Some of the most aerobatic strikes I've ever had from trout were when I was fishing a hopper like the GFA hopper. This makes for such a fun, and productive day on the water. Beyond just trout, these flies work really well for warm water species like bass and sunfish. They are quite durable as well, allowing you to catch a handful of sunnies before needing to change out the fly, which cannot be said for many other dry fly patterns. Those little sunfish are like piranhas, and their sharp teeth usually destroy most flies. Bass love eating these as well, and Ive been able to catch even some very good sized ones on this exact pattern.

Go get yourself a discount at Veevus, or better yet sign up to their VIP and with this link you will get a free bobbin holder and 10% off of their entire store. https://veevus.com/pages/membership?via=McFly

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Materials
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Hook: Risen 9231 (size 12) - https://www.risenfly.com/collections/hooks/products/barbless-nymph-9231
Thread: Veevus 10/0 (yellow) - https://veevus.com/products/veevus-threads-10-0-25-colors
Dubbing: Starburst (orange) - https://amzn.to/3NtoByV
Body: 2mm Fly Foam (yellow) - https://amzn.to/3oVcfjh
Wing: All Purpose Deer Hair - https://amzn.to/4bbJvMe
Legs: Centipede Legs (speckled tan, medium) - https://amzn.to/3xkH98y
Hot Spot: 2mm Fly Foam (orange) - https://amzn.to/3oVcfjh
Resin: Solarez Ultra Thin - https://solarez.com/bone-dry-intro-kit.html

Tools
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Vise: Renzetti Traveler - https://amzn.to/2t2FFmo
Bobbin: Stonfo Bobtec - https://amzn.to/2YWOf39
Scissors: Risen Spring Assist - https://www.risenfly.com/collections/fly-tying-tools-and-accessories/pr…
Whip finisher: Dr. Slick brass - https://amzn.to/2tGYwDW
Foam Cutters: River Road Cutters (Chernobyl-style, tapered end, XS) - https://www.riverroadcreations.com/foam-body-cutters/single-size/cherno…
Fly Tying Bench: Oasis Walnut Compact Bench - https://www.oasisbenches.com/oasis-benches/compact-bench/
UV Light: Solarez UV Cure (high output) - https://www.solarez.com/product/uv-cure-flashlight-high-output/

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Magnetic Fly Box - https://amzn.to/3DBwPQl
Silicone Fly Box - https://amzn.to/40haoIX

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