Hopper Dropper // Understanding the Dry Fly Dropper Nymph Combo

A hopper dropper rig is a fly fishing setup that combines two different types of flies to increase the chances of catching fish, particularly in situations where fish may be feeding on the surface or near the bottom of the water column. The setup consists of a buoyant dry fly (the "hopper") that imitates terrestrial insects like grasshoppers, beetles, or ants, and a sinking or subsurface nymph fly (the "dropper") that imitates aquatic insects in their immature stages.
Here's how a hopper dropper rig is typically set up:
Tie on the dry fly: The angler ties a dry fly, such as a grasshopper or beetle imitation, to the end of the tippet (the thin section of line between the leader and the fly line). The dry fly serves as the visible indicator and attracts fish feeding on the surface.
Attach the dropper: Below the dry fly, the angler ties on a short section of tippet material, typically 8-12 inches in length. To this section of tippet, they then tie on a subsurface nymph fly, which imitates aquatic insects like mayflies, caddisflies, or stoneflies.
Adjustments: The length of the dropper tippet can be adjusted based on water depth and fish behavior. In shallower water, a shorter dropper may be used, while in deeper water, a longer dropper may be more effective.
Casting and presentation: The angler casts the rig upstream or across the current and allows it to drift naturally with the current. The dry fly floats on the surface, while the nymph sinks or drifts just below the surface. This setup allows the angler to target fish feeding at different levels in the water column simultaneously.
Strike detection: If a fish takes either the dry fly or the nymph, the angler can detect the strike by watching the dry fly for any sudden movement or by feeling for a tug on the line. Once a strike is detected, the angler sets the hook by raising the rod tip or making a quick downstream motion.
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Fluorocarbon Tippet: redsflyfishing.com/collection...
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[@vincecaporale3544]

This is the most complete, clearest, and informative "hopper/dropper" lesson I have ever watched. can't wait to get out on the water and try it. Thanks Joe

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Vince!

[@stephenbrody2717]

Joe’s always makes me wish I lived in Washington so I could go to Reds and fish with those guys. Another great video. Joe is a great communicator.

[@redsflyshop]

Stephen, thanks so much. Very kind words and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do this for a living. Really appreciate the props!

[@billadolf4382]

The most comprehensive explanation I've found. Thank you.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Bill, really appreciate it. I wish I knew some of these things years ago. Would have kept me more consistent and confident.

[@patrickwilder4479]

Great lesson from Prof Joe!

[@rob3518]

Great advise as always. Thanks

[@agrifoguy]

Nice concise , clear instructions !

[@how_nate_rolls4603]

Really solid and thorough tutorial. Well done. I learned a good bit.

[@ronkreed]

Excellent information. Thank you.

[@chasinbowsnbrowns3652]

Very nice illustration and informative video ! Well done !

[@paulkick7870]

This is great teaching!

[@ByongSun]

Great video. Covered a lot of good detail while still being digestible. The illustration and physical example of the flies really helped me understand exactly what you are taking about. Would love to see more videos like this.

[@christiancherry1377]

Droppin' Science, Joe! Great job as always.

[@FlyFishingChronicles]

Vertical drift is something a lot of fly fisherman are not aware of when it comes to nymph fishing. Adding split shots can also help to compensate the vertical currents.

[@esjovold6572]

Excellent video. Thank you. Lots of good ideas.

[@neverhomeguideservice]

Oh man that clicked in my head! Oooooh ah ha moment. Thx Joe!

[@captainkoo]

Outstanding video. Clear explanation and great diagrams ..

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Great information! Been fishing for dry-dropper rig for awhile and this video it's very helpful.

[@moscaman559]

Spot on Joe, thanks!

[@brianfeeney9493]

Hey HOWDY !!!! This is One of the BEST Tutorials EVER !!!!!! “ ON - POINT !!! “. Thank You SO MUCH !!!!!!! This is Phenomenal Actually …… So Much POOR content out there …… This is REAL & HELPFUL !!!!!! Much Thanks !!!! ✨🎣💫

[@57markyboy]

Great information!

[@joeborgione5477]

Great tips. Thanks!

[@cachi-7878]

Good info, Joe. I wish you had talked about why the NZ yarn indicator achieves this without much fuss from the angler. Thanks!

[@scottnock5241]

Nice job!!!

[@lunchpail2]

Awesome, straightforward info as always Joe! Thank you. 😊 One additional thing I like to do is to tie the dropper tippet through the eye on the hopper so you can use a loop knot to attach the tippet to the hopper. This lets the dropper tippet swivel and let’s the nymph sink more readily.

[@adamguerich9200]

appriciate teh tips!

[@bos6782]

Thank you for this very descriptive lesson on Hopper Dropper, truly appreciated.

[@redsflyshop]

You bet, I'm glad it came out as good as it did. People seem to connect with some of the ideas here.

[@kevinihintz]

Great tutorial 😊

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Kevin, much appreciated!

[@martinhodell8465]

for what it's worth, Flouro is monofilament. So is nylon. I think the distinction you're trying to make is flouro vs nylon.

[@coryleschuk4829]

Dope .. thanks

[@jacksugden6948]

For the upstream tension tip, add a wiggle to your rod tip as you do it. It will make your hopper/stonefly skate on the surface better.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

3 to 1 is a good ratio! Nothing sucks in fishing more than knowing that you just put a fish on a death timer, or blinded it because the dropper wrapped around your fish and hooked it in the eye, or belly or gills!

[@redsflyshop]

Agreed. The wrap up is a killer man. Fine tippet is like a razor blade on trout skin.

[@danebono7667]

Great info, as always, Joe. Couldn't agree more on the oversized beadheads, which is part of the reason I most often use perdigons as my dropper when flows are high.

[@redsflyshop]

Yes, they sink like a bullet.

[@shallas]

Hey Joe great video! who uses a 3x?

[@richardberger263]

what is the maximum length dropper leader would you use

[@scottyeager2234]

Enjoyed your video. Just subscribed. Keep breaking things down. I’m new to FF and eating this stuff up!

[@redsflyshop]

Awesome. I want everyone to experience the highs and joys that I have had in fly fishing. Appreciate the subscribe and the kind words. Fish on!

[@beo77]

Let the nymph catch up so the presentation is more natural through the drift. I always did this when using a floating indicator esp in fast water but wasn’t sure if it was the proper technique. Thanks for the confirmation!

[@midisax]

Nice!

[@johns2213]

Very good explanation of river current speed dynamics. Also applies to nymph/indicator fishing. Looking a bit head I've has success using hopper with small beetle or terrestrial as a dropper. Both flies on the surface and trout considering the hopper but shies away often grab the smaller terrestrial pattern. Give it a try!

[@redsflyshop]

Cool, thanks that's a good tip.

[@karmic_pirate707]

Nice fish drawing

[@garysoden9048]

Wow…. This just might be a huge tool in my toolbox!! Question… will the non slip mono loop knot work if I use a fluorocarbon tippet to help the nymph drop more of a straight drop below the hopper? Thanks for all your videos..🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@MO-vr1jg]

“Upstream tension on the hopper”….great tip.

[@mikemcnamara3777]

Interesting take. Keep hopper floating drag free for natural presentation. Lengthen the dropper tippet to get the dropper deeper. Finally use droppers that don’t have a lot of water drag but be aware they the dropper presentation will be unnaturally fast.

[@ibookje]

Why not use the analogy of nymph fishing with a strike indicator? Because that’s what hopper-dropper fishing is. Either use a heavier nymph if you’re fishing short drifts or lengthen the distance of the dropper. Generally length 3x the depth you’re fishing

[@davethomasthedreamteam9418]

That fish drawing is sick.

[@redsflyshop]

Yea, I'm pretty much Tara Banks with my art.

[@stephenbrody2717]

@@redsflyshop 😂

[@jdigioia1130]

Thanks for sharing this video - always helpful! Do you use a specific fly line for H/D fishing? 🎣

[@redsflyshop]

Great question. I personally don't change anything, but do find that Weight Forward lines are much better than Double Taper lines. Likely your existing line will turn over a (2) fly rig just fine. Just keep your leader at 7.5' or less for the ease of casting.

[@kush252]

What is the ideal size for a 3w rod to dry hopper? Thanks

[@giovannibott7242]

I have that 5X Fluoro Carbon. Can’t tie a loop knot or any knot without breaking when setting the knot. Is this just a bad batch or is this typical?

[@daleleavitt]

...to say nothing of the wind that tends to drive the dry fly, especially a hopper, like a sailboat over the water even faster than the current.

[@xaquinlopezgomez1028]

But, the set you are showing is fishing downstream...is that what you mean?

[@seanp4038]

Great video Joe! If your using the non slip mono loop double rig and you want to change your top fly? What’s the best way too change it out?

[@Rlec021]

Do hopper dropper setups work in the middle of the river? Or more so to be used on the bank? I know the nymph would work in the middle but I guess what I’m wondering is will fish still come up and take a hopper or chubby chernoble away from the banks?

[@redsflyshop]

Oh absolutely, it's a great question. I have found that when anglers fish a "hopper dropper" with the mentality they are fishing the nymph, not just the dry fly, both flies become more productive because you are casting to where most of the fish are. Looking for unique boulders, seamlines, drop offs, etc. So YES absolutely it works mid river. Just follow your gut instincts and you'll find that both patterns are more productive.

[@Rlec021]

@@redsflyshop Thanks for the response. Good info

[@Scarbis93]

I have been fishing fast water and avoid indicators so I went to the very large chubby Chernobyl to help my fly from drowning. I’ll try to downsize and see if I become more effective. Thanks for the info!

[@rickwilson2848]

please shpw better pictures of your flies you are using when you are showing them they are a blur!!!