modern Michigan dry fly · by 2023
Tim's Hopper
Unverified origin Only the MFFC handout credits Tim Neal with the pattern. His Troutnut profile confirms a Grayling tyer of that name but does not mention the fly.
History
Tim Neal tied this compact deer-hair hopper in Grayling, where he grew up and learned the traditional Au Sable patterns. The club handout gives no year, so the only firm date is its use at a January 2023 Michigan Fly Fishing Club meeting.
Club member Spence Vanderhoof picked it for that meeting as a Michigan-made terrestrial for members heading west in summer. Neal also ties the body in olive and black.
Materials
| Hook | Tiemco 2302 (2XL, down eye), size 12 |
|---|---|
| Thread | Yellow 3/0 monocord |
| Body | Yellow poly dubbing (also tied in olive or black) |
| Rib | Dark ginger hackle, palmered |
| Legs | Medium round rubber legs, speckled yellow/black/red |
| Underwing | Non-flaring deer hair, tied down |
| Overwing | Compressible deer hair |
Sources
- Vanderhoof, S. "Tim's Hopper." Michigan Fly Fishing Club Activity Night handout, January 2023.
- "TNEAL" (Tim Neal) user profile. Troutnut.com.
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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.