modern Michigan dry fly · 2012
Kapok Hopper
Likely origin Deschaine's archive card and his own Fly Anglers Online column agree, but both come from one author and no independent source has been found.
History
Tom Deschaine came up with the Kapok Hopper in May 2012, borrowing ideas from older Michigan hopper patterns. Its body is kapok, a buoyant plant fiber, which makes the fly very hard to sink.
He meant it as a general hopper, tied larger or smaller to match the local grasshoppers, and suggested swapping the tail and rib colors.
Materials
| Hook | Dry, extra long (Mustad R43-94831), sizes 6 to 10 |
|---|---|
| Thread | Black 6/0 |
| Tail | Red cotton or wool yarn, cut short (brown or yellow also used) |
| Rib | Brown hackle, palmered and clipped short (green or red also used) |
| Body | Natural kapok dubbing |
| Legs | Knotted pheasant hopper legs, trimmed |
| Wing | Mottled turkey, tent style to the bend, cemented |
| Hackle | Brown, heavy, one size over the hook |
Sources
- Deschaine, T. "Kapok Hopper." Michigan Dry Flies archive recipe card.
- Deschaine, T. "Kapok Hopper." Fly of the Week, Fly Anglers Online.
Know more about this fly's history, or spot a mistake? Send a correction.
No photo yet. Every photo on michfly is of a fly tied for the site, so they're added a few at a time.
Original recipe cards for many Michigan patterns are kept at the Michigan Dry Flies archive, built by the late Tom Deschaine.