How important are terrestrials in your fly box? I for one don’t use terrestrials enough. I know that there are certain times of the year when they are deadly and then at times they are non existence. If you think about it none of the traditional terrestrials spent their life cycle in the water. The ones that come to mind are the bees, wasps, houseflies, butterflies, caterpillars, spiders and others I probably forgot. An amazing thing I found out when I was doing this post was that less than 1% of these land bugs make up the trout’s diet during a season. Most of the time these bugs are consumed by the trout after it has fallen from an over hanging branch. Of all the terrestrials my favorite is the grasshopper. I guess because it is I consider the most available in the summer months. There are lots of patterns out there that imitate the hopper, but the one I have found that resembles it best is the bug at Bass Pro. This is one of the most realistic grasshoppers I have ever seen. The special thing about this bug was the detail and the rubber legs. They are spread out as if the hopper is ready to leap. I notice when it lands on the water it still has the same position as on land, which makes it even more realistic to the fish. I found this fly about two weeks ago when I was in the fly shop at Bass Pro.
I bought a couple and can’t wait to try them out in the coming season. They come in a couple of sizes. I always thought a large hopper was the ticket when fishing for trout, but my buddy at the fly shop told me that the smaller version is perfect in early spring and early summer. They are a little pricey for a fly, but if they catch fish I am for it. Can’t wait for spring!!!
I love using terrestrials when the weather heats up. My favorite is usually a sunken ant pattern or a small Klod's hopper pattern. I think no self respecting trout will resist the chance to eat a juicy hopper when it gets the chance and I have often noticed that fish would move quite a distance to intercept the fly.
ReplyDeletedo we use them enough? Do we use them to much? with trout its all if they are looking for them, I want to fish with what ever the trout ate last,
ReplyDeleteSometimes the subject of Terrestrials over rides the brain into thinking that they will get a fish to srike!. when really they are keyed in to something else and striking that bug every four seconds, now when they key on to say, a hopper then this the same, watching for what the fish are keying on to out of a handful of things is more inportant than any fly. Terestrial or not.
Notice the surroundings is the key and I agree the fish could be keyed in on one thing for a while and off on something else the next hour. Good point. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteI got a bunch from Flydeals and have yet to use them. There's always next year.
ReplyDeleteMark
Mark
ReplyDeleteThose flies from Flydeals are worth the money. They are quality and for the money no one can touch them. I have ordered a bunch for next year also and some were the terestrials. Thanks for the commnet
Those "Grand Hoppers" are really some of the best: realistic, durable and float-all-day design. Love 'em, but yeah, expensive.
ReplyDeleteWith terrestrials, I just try to pay attention. The nice thing about bass, bluegills, and even trout sometimes is the opportunistic feeding. If they are accustomed to seeing a stray hopper/ant/bee/whatever fall in and have eaten some--then they might work really well. So I pay attention to what's stream/lake-side and what might fall in. I also try to fish terrestrials...well, terrestrially. In other words, I don't cast a hopper way out in the middle, only as far as the wind might blow one out of a bush or tree.
I love using terrestrials as searchers, and nothing is better than a hopper to drop something smaller off of to really key in on what the fish are eating hard.
Here in MO, hoppers are still bouncing around shore-side, and so I'm still fishing and catching on them after several freezes.
Will
ReplyDeleteThose are great suggestions and I will try casting the hopper closer to the bank---since you are still catching fish on the hoppers proves to me that they still might hit the big popper tomorrow on the lake. Thanks for the comment
Those fine looking Bass Pro hoppers are what helped Kelly catch her first ever fly rod fish. You might be able to make one out in the photos from my November 4th blog post.
ReplyDeleteThey are definitely the best hopper pattern I've seen, but they are a bit pricey.
Glad to find your blog!
Jay
ReplyDeleteI found these hoppers late in the season and never got a chance to use them, the water temps on the lake now is around 60, and nothing is happening on top---but feel sure I will have them out early for spring. Thanks for the comment.
Morne
ReplyDeleteI will have the hopper at the top of my list when spring arrives. Thanks for the comment