How to tie the Stopper-Popper for Sea run Cutthroat Trout

[@chines42]

I just had a great time at scenic beach using an polar shrimp pattern behind a popper. Great setup!

[@timothybird7008]

@@chines42 That’s nice to hear- I was skunked there on New Year’s Eve, but it’s good to know the fish are still around there.

[@destortoise]

Just found your channel--amazing SRC content Tim! Thank you for your work.

[@timothybird7008]

@@destortoise Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

[@Frank-i7o5i]

I like the idea and look of your stopper popper. I’ll give it a try! Merry Christmas and tight lines! 👍🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄

[@timothybird7008]

Merry Christmas and thanks for watching!

[@Geoghillie]

Great explanation and tying sequences. Remember, the K.I.S.S. principal often applies in fly fishing. All the best in the New Year, Tim. Cheers!

[@timothybird7008]

Cheers! I'm looking forward to fishing this some more, but we've got high tides, rain and wind at the moment. My wife & I are tentatively planning a short trip to Victoria in early July. Nearer the time, I might hit you up for some good SRC fishing locations near there!

[@Geoghillie]

@@timothybird7008 Yes, of course. You have my contact info. Good spot... almost in downtown Victoria. Cheers!

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Looks amazing!

[@timothybird7008]

Better still, it seems to work!

[@vanman3752]

That stopper popper used as an attractor seems like a good idea. Have you found it increases your strike rate that much? Why not just use it alone? Thanks for another video and have a nice holiday.

[@timothybird7008]

I've only recently started using it, but it's very efficient. As I mention in the description, you can insert a hook in it and use it on its own, but you only hook a small proportion of fish that way.

[@dsmoll91]

Timothy! Just stumbled onto your channel. Really great info on SRC in Puget Sound. Ive already tied a couple of your flies! Do you have any recommendations for fly choice for winter months? I usually fish locally in Port Townsend. I had a killer day fishing sculpin patterns a month or two ago but have been skunked almost every time since then…?

[@timothybird7008]

@@dsmoll91 In years past I’ve found the SRC fishing to drop off precipitously around here from the beginning of December to around late march. The few fish I’ve had have been on squid and shrimp patterns (Delia Squid, Squimp), or sculpin patterns. I know there are folks who are successful fishing tiny euphasiid patterns in the winter, but I’ve not had luck with those. It’s probably more a matter of finding the fish than choosing a fly.

[@dsmoll91]

@ ahh very good. Thank you for this info. A friend of mine said many of the fish run up the rivers during this time, but I wasn’t sure if there was any truth to that. I may try here and there for the next few months but I’m sure it will be more to practice my cast 🤪

[@timothybird7008]

@ Your friend is correct. The SRC do run up into freshwater to spawn in the fall and winter, but the timing is quite variable, and they don’t spend much time in the rivers. You can still find them in saltwater year-round. In the south Sound they’ll be easier to find at this time through the spring and then in the summer and fall, they’ll become more abundant further north.

[@fishingwithfoxxxy1371]

What fly wouldn't you recommend as a dropper?

[@timothybird7008]

@@fishingwithfoxxxy1371 I’ve been using an American Coachman (see my previous video). That works. Anything small and flashy would likely do the job. I’m looking forward to trying other patterns like Ferguson’s Green and Silver or Disco Sand Lance.