Troutnut.com Fly Fishing for Trout Home
User Password
or register.
Scientific name search:

> > grasshopper colors



LastchanceJune 30th, 2008, 3:59 pm
Portage, PA

Posts: 437
I live in central/western, pa. What colors are the grasshoppers in this area? I guess I mean the part the fish sees. Also, would you tie them in sizes 8 and 10? Are they tan and olive?
Thanks
TrtklrJuly 2nd, 2008, 1:28 pm
Banned
Michigan

Posts: 115
I would suggest to go outside and walk around some tall grass in mid day. you should see some jump around. I tie mine with a light tan body with grizzly wrap, but I bet ours here in michigan have a darker body. I am a firm believer that proportions are more important than color. I use a #10 streamer hook. yeah it floats no problem
I have seen nothing more beautiful than the sunrise on a cold stream.
GONZOJuly 2nd, 2008, 2:56 pm
Site Editor
"Bear Swamp," PA

Posts: 1681
Bruce,

We have lots of different grasshopper species in PA, but Scott is probably right--the exact color shouldn't matter that much unless the trout are seeing a heavy concentration of only one species.

I suppose that could happen when the Carolinas (the strong fliers that display black underwings with light borders when in flight) are flying around en masse, but I don't think these actually hit the water as often as some of the weaker fliers. Other fairly common hoppers that we see include the Differential, Red-Legged, Migratory, and Bird (American and Alutacea). Most of these have yellowish, yellowish-brown, or yellowish-gray bodies. (The Red-Legged can be olive as well.)

Size varies with species and time of year, but when the adults are active in the summer, 2X- or 3X-long #8s and #10s make for a pretty good average. One opportunity that fly fishers sometimes miss comes when the young nymphs ("baby" grasshoppers) are hanging out on streamside bushes earlier in the season. Then, a smaller (#12 or #14) wingless imitation in yellow, gray, or olive can be a killer for trout that lurk beneath the bushes.

I hope that helps.

Quick Reply

You have to be logged in to post on the forum. It's this easy:
Username:          Email:

Password:    Confirm Password:

I am at least 13 years old and agree to the rules.

Related Discussions

TitleRepliesLast Reply
Re: Photo Request
In General Discussion by Feathers5
4Mar 14, 2013
by Lastchance
Re: Baetid nymph color
In Male Baetidae Mayfly Nymph by Martinlf
1Dec 26, 2006
by GONZO
Re: Finding Dobsonfly adults
In the Insect Family Corydalidae by Raider83
7Jul 3, 2008
by Shawnny3
Re: Hopper Tippet
In Gear Talk by Keystoner
13Sep 5, 2011
by Sayfu
Re: Another sulphur for comment
In Female Ephemerella invaria Mayfly Dun by Martinlf
1Aug 21, 2007
by Gene
Re: Grannom vs Apple Caddis
In the Insect Order Trichoptera by Walleye
7Jan 11, 2017
by Afishinado
Re: Related Baetis Topic
In General Discussion by Lastchance
1Feb 4, 2012
by PaulRoberts
Re: Baetis Nymph, Is this it?
In General Discussion by Lastchance
1Mar 10, 2013
by Martinlf
The Baby Bow Streamer
In Fly Tying by Mcflyangler
0
Re: light & dark cahill nymph patterns
In General Discussion by Lastchance
2Feb 18, 2008
by JAD
Most Recent Posts
Re: large free living caddis rhyacophila?
In the Identify This! Board by Kjfeen (Taxon replied)