Well bluegill season is in full swing here in Michigan. I love fishing for these little buggers. They readily take just about anything you put in front of them and boy do they put up a great fight for such a little fish. Besides that they sure do taste great. For me there is nothing better than pan fried bluegills with home made French fries and a side of cole slaw. So simple and oh so delicious! I'm drooling must thinking about it. Think I will have to go out and catch me a bucket load for dinner. Guess I should tie up a few flies to get the job done.
Back in 1999 www.flyanglersonline.com published an article by Al Campbell about foam panfish flies. Both flies in the article have worked well for me when fishing for bluegills. Tonight I figured I would tie up some of his Foam Hoppers. Not only does this pattern work for panfish but it has also worked well for me when fishing for trout during the hot summer months.
Al's Foam Hopper
Al's Foam Hopper
Hook - Mustad 9671 #4-14
Thread - Uni 6/0 Yellow
Body - Tan Closed Cell Foam
Wing - Elk Hair Tied The Same As Stimulator Wing
Rib - Copper Wire
Under Body - Yellow Yarn
Legs - Yellow Rubber Leg Material
Step One
Start Thread
Step Two
Tie in a Quarter Inch Wide Strip of Foam Covering 3/4 of the Hook Shank
Step Three
Tie in Copper Wire
Step Four
Tie in Yellow Yarn
Step Five
Wrap Yarn Forward
Step Six
Pull Foam Forward Over the Hook and Tie Off at Starting Point. Make Sure the Foam Extends Over The Hook Bend
Step Seven
Wrap Copper Wire Forward in Even Wraps
Step Eight
Tie in Elk Hair Wing
Step Nine
Pull Foam Back and Tie Off. Trim Foam to Form a Small Tag
Step Ten
Tie in Rubber Legs on Both Sides of Hook
Step Eleven
Trim Legs and Whip Finish
