Fly of the Month: Late Summer Hopper-Dropper All-Stars
Few rigs capture the essence of summer fly fishing like the hopper-dropper. Big bugs on the surface. Productive nymphs below. Visual eats and steady subsurface action—what's not to love?
August is prime time for this approach, and this month we're spotlighting our Hopper-Dropper All-Stars: the fly pairings, rigging tactics, and gear setups we trust when trout are keyed in on terrestrials. Whether you're fishing freestone creeks, meadow stretches, or pocket water in the backcountry, these combos are designed to get results.
Why Hopper-Dropper Rigs Work So Well
The hopper-dropper rig has become a go-to summer strategy for anglers across the country, and for good reason. It offers the perfect balance between surface action and subsurface productivity. During August, when grasshoppers, beetles, and other terrestrials are abundant, trout are often looking up. But they're also opportunistic feeders that won't pass up a well-drifted nymph. The hopper-dropper rig lets you cover both strike zones at once, maximizing your chances of success in every cast. It's particularly effective in varied water types—pocket water, undercut banks, riffles, and seams—making it one of the most versatile systems in fly fishing.
The hopper-dropper rig combines the best of both worlds:
- A buoyant dry fly (usually a terrestrial) to trigger surface strikes
- A weighted nymph or jig fly that drifts just below the surface or drops into the strike zone
This dual-fly setup mimics natural feeding scenarios and gives fish options. It also helps detect subtle takes—when the dry twitches, you set the hook.
You can adjust depth, visibility, and fly profile by swapping dry or dropper types, making the rig highly adaptable to changing water conditions and trout behavior.
How to Rig a Hopper-Dropper Setup
Rigging a hopper-dropper setup is straightforward, but small details can make a big difference in your success rate. The key is balancing visibility, floatation, and depth. You want your dry fly to stay high and visible, even in choppy water, while your dropper nymph rides at just the right level where fish are feeding. Different water types, currents, and target depths will influence how you rig your flies. Taking time to dial in your rigging setup can lead to more takes and better hooksets.
You've got two common methods:
- Tippet-to-bend: Tie 12–24" of tippet to the bend of the dry fly hook, then tie on your dropper.
- Tippet-to-eye: Tie both the dry and dropper to the same hook eye (good for preserving dry fly floatation).
Recommended Dropper Lengths:
- 12–18" for shallow pocket water
- 24–36" for deeper pools or when using tungsten jigs
📌 Pro Tip: Use a tippet ring for quick swaps and better dry fly turnover.
Suggested Hopper-Dropper Fly Pairings
Choosing the right dry-dropper combination can be the difference between a slow day and non-stop action. At Jackson Hole Fly Company, we've spent countless summer hours testing different pairings on Western streams and high-country creeks. The flies below represent our favorite matchups for August—built around visibility, buoyancy, sink rate, and fish-attracting qualities. Each combo has a role to play depending on water depth, current speed, and trout mood. Here are the all-star pairings we reach for first. Each of these combos has been field-tested and handpicked by the JHFLYCO team for August conditions:
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Gold Chubby |
Parachute Hopper | Snake River Beetle | Water Walker – Black |
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| Tungsten Blowtorch Jig – Pink | Tungsten Bead Rainbow Warrior Jig | Beadhead Soft Hackle Flash Pheasant Tail | Duracell Jig – Purple |
1. Gold Chubby + Tungsten Blowtorch Jig (Pink)
- Gold Chubby (Sizes 10–14): This high-riding foam terrestrial is built for rough water and aggressive takes. With bright wing posts and wide hackle, it's easy to track even in glare or shadows. Perfect for imitating grasshoppers or large attractor dries.
- Tungsten Blowtorch Jig– Pink (Sizes 14–18): This flashy, fast-sinking jig is a go-to for triggering reaction strikes. The pink variant shines in low-visibility or murky water. Its aggressive design makes it ideal for fast pocket water.
Where to Use It: This combo excels in fast seams, riffles, and side channels where you need buoyancy up top and quick drop below.
Why It Works: The Gold Chubby's thick foam body stays visible in choppy water. Paired with the Blowtorch Jig's quick sink and flashy profile, this rig covers two feeding zones with confidence.
📌 Pro Tip: Trim the belly hackle of your Chubby to sit lower in flatter water. Helps reduce refusals in spooky runs.
2. Parachute Hopper + Tungsten Bead Rainbow Warrior Jig
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Parachute Hopper (Sizes 10–14): A high-visibility, low-riding terrestrial pattern with a natural silhouette. Excellent for fooling trout feeding near the surface. The parachute post makes it ideal for both fast and slow water conditions.
- Tungsten Bead Rainbow Warrior Jig (Sizes 16–20): A flashy attractor nymph that works in a wide variety of water types. Its iridescent body and small profile make it effective in both clear and slightly stained water. It's especially good when fish are feeding mid-column or on emerging nymphs.
Where to Use It: This rig thrives in medium-depth runs, eddies, and broken water where trout feed opportunistically throughout the water column.
Why It Works: The Hopper offers visibility and delicacy, while the Rainbow Warrior serves as a flashy subsurface trigger that gets eaten even on tough days.
📌 Pro Tip: Add a micro split shot 4–6" above the Rainbow Warrior to improve drop time without spooking fish with heavier flies.
3. Snake River Beetle + Beadhead Soft Hackle Flash Pheasant Tail
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Snake River Beetle (Sizes 12–16): A low-profile foam beetle pattern that imitates real terrestrial beetles and ants. With a subtle presentation and dark body, it's a deadly choice when trout are sipping small terrestrials.
- Beadhead Soft Hackle Flash Pheasant Tail (Sizes 14–18): A modern take on a classic pattern. The soft hackle adds movement and realism, while the flash back adds subtle attraction. Ideal for slower seams and soft water where trout inspect their food.
Where to Use It: Target bankside lies, undercut edges, and shaded pools where terrestrials naturally fall into the water.
Why It Works: The Beetle keeps a low profile and floats quietly, while the Soft Hackle Flash PT pulsates with lifelike movement in slow or moderate currents.
📌 Pro Tip: Use a shorter dropper (12–16") to keep the nymph in the feeding column when casting close to structure.
4. Water Walker – Black + Duracell Jig (Purple)
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Black Water Walker (Sizes 10–14): A high-riding foam terrestrial with rubber legs, wing profile, and enough surface disturbance to draw attention in riffles and runs. The black variation offers sharp contrast and stealth, ideal for low-light or pressured conditions.
- Tungsten Bead Duracell Jig – Purple (Sizes 14–18): A tungsten-bodied attractor nymph with a buggy profile and UV flash. Sinks quickly and triggers takes in a variety of conditions, especially in faster water.
Where to Use It: Excellent for pocket water, broken current, and choppy surface conditions where visibility and quick drop matter.
Why It Works: The Water Walker holds up bulky nymphs and creates a disturbance that draws fish up, while the Duracell gets down and adds color and motion underneath.
📌 Pro Tip: Fish this with a 9' 6WT like our Miracle Mile Combo Kit for added control in fast current and better dry-fly turnover.
Bonus Combos Worth Trying
While the core pairings above are our go-to favorites, some days call for a little experimentation. These bonus combos provide even more versatility depending on the water type, light conditions, or trout behavior. Whether you're dialing in your setup for spooky fish, deep pockets, or just adding variety to your fly box, these matchups deserve a spot in your late-summer rotation.
- Yellow Humpy + Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph: A classic Western dry paired with a proven attractor nymph. The Yellow Humpy (Sizes 10–14) rides high and visible in riffles, while the Flashback Pheasant Tail (Sizes 14–18) sinks quickly and mimics a broad range of emerging insects. Ideal for fast water with aggressive feeders.
- Joker Micro Chubby – Purple + Beadhead Flash Purple Prince Nymph: This purple-on-purple combo is excellent for technical water. The Joker Micro Chubby (Sizes 12–14) offers foam buoyancy with a flashy color pop that stands out in clear water, while the Purple Prince (Sizes 14–18) delivers subtle movement and a touch of flash to fool wary trout.
- Chubby Chernobyl – Miss Piggy + Copper John – Red: This loud-and-proud pairing is built for big eats. The Miss Piggy (Sizes 10–12) is a juicy, oversized terrestrial with serious silhouette, while the Copper John (Sizes 14–16) gets down quickly with wire body weight and fish-triggering flash. Great for prospecting deep pockets on sunny afternoons.
Gear Up: Rods & Combos for Hopper-Dropper Fishing
The right fly rod and combo setup can make all the difference when it comes to fishing hopper-dropper rigs effectively. You need a rod that can deliver big foam bugs with accuracy while still offering the sensitivity to detect subtle takes on the dropper. That balance of power and finesse is key—especially when you're dealing with variable water depths, crosswinds, or complex currents. Whether you're casting tight to grassy banks or high-sticking pocket water, these rod and combo options offer the performance and control needed for versatile terrestrial-nymph fishing.
A good hopper-dropper setup balances dry fly sensitivity with enough backbone to turn over big foam bugs. Here's what we recommend:
- Yellowstone II Fly Rod – 9' 5WT: A smooth-casting all-arounder with excellent dry-dropper feel. The 9' 5WT model offers the perfect blend of finesse and backbone for turning over foam dries and trailing nymphs with precision.
- Yellowstone Signature Fly Rod – 9' 5WT: A high-performance dry fly rod built for accuracy and finesse. The 9' 5WT is ideal for turning over hopper-dropper rigs with long leaders, while maintaining the sensitivity needed for subtle takes on the dropper.
- Flat Creek Combo Kit – 9' 5WT: A versatile and forgiving 5WT combo built for ease of casting and control. Ideal for anglers of all experience levels, this setup is perfect for dry-dropper tactics in creeks, rivers, and small lakes.
- Miracle Mile Combo Kit – 9' 6WT – A powerful 6WT combo ideal for windy afternoons, heavier rigs, or large foam dries. The added strength gives anglers more control over line management and big fish in fast water.
Bonus: The Perfect Fly Box for Your Pairings
If you're looking for a fast, frustration-free way to hit the water ready to fish, the JHFLYCO Hopper-Dropper Fly Box is the ultimate shortcut. This premium, waterproof fly box comes fully loaded with our top-performing hopper and dropper flies—curated to match the conditions we fish most in late summer. Inside, you'll find a hand-selected mix of high-floating foam terrestrials and tungsten-beaded nymphs that are ready to rig and cast. The double-sided silicone insert holds flies securely, while the transparent lid makes it easy to scout your options at a glance. Whether you're building out rigs the night before or switching flies midstream, this box takes the guesswork out of terrestrial season.
Want to Dive Deeper?
Want to refine your hopper-dropper strategy even further? We've covered this rig from multiple angles—how to match flies to hatch cycles, when to fish different terrestrials, and how to adjust your leader setup for different water types. These articles go beyond the basics and are packed with practical tips, fly recommendations, and seasonal strategy guides to help you level up your dry-dropper game.
Check out these related reads from our blog:
📖 The Magic of the Hopper Dropper
📖 Fly of the Month: Terrestrial Flies
Taking it to the Water
All the planning, prep, and pairing culminate when you hit the river. Turning your hopper-dropper knowledge from the fly box to the water is where it shines. Don't just rig up and hope—make your first cast count. Watch for grasshopper activity near the bank, read seams for trout holds, and adjust dropper depth as conditions shift. These tips and pairings are built for real-world trout water, not just theory. Stay adaptable, observe the water, and fish with intent. Let every rig and drift reflect the effort you've invested.
Focus on simplifying your setup and perfecting presentation. From selecting the right rod and fly pairings to organizing your fly box and mastering dropper depth, every detail boosts effectiveness. Confidence on the water comes from preparation. These rigs, tips, and tools help you fish smarter, ready for any conditions. With trout feeding on the surface and below, now's the ideal time for the dry-dropper rig.
