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Dry fly · Rainbow Trout

Hopper Leader for Big Terrestrial Dry Flies

An 8-foot-8-inch dry-fly leader tapered from 30 lb butt to 2X tippet, built to turn over grasshopper imitations and other larger terrestrial patterns. The stout butt handles the weight and air resistance of bigger flies while the fine 2X tip provides the delicacy needed for drag-free presentation on selective trout.

BBy BarblessOctober 14, 2026

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30 lb.022"
Maxima Clear
25 lb.020"
Maxima Clear
20 lb.017"
Maxima Clear
15 lb.015"
Maxima Clear
10 lb.012"
Maxima Clear
13 lb1X.010"
RIO Powerflex
10 lb2X.009"
RIO Powerflex
BUTT · 36"
BUTT · 16"
TAPER · 12"
TAPER · 6"
TAPER · 6"
TAPER · 8"
TIPPET · 20"
Total length8' 8"
Rod5-6 wt
Flies1
Knots7
SeasonMid summer to early fall
WaterFreestone river, Big river

Drag the drawing to pan. Tap a fly for what it does, a knot for how to tie it.

Build your leader

8' 8" of line · 7 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 30 lb2345610 lb

Tie it

0 of 7 done

These are the finished lengths. Leave extra for tying each knot.

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 36" butt to the 16" butt with a blood knot. Add 12" of 20 lb with a blood knot. Add 6" of 15 lb with a blood knot. Add 6" of 10 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 8" of 13 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 20" of 10 lb with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a blood knotTie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 20" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Blood knot · 5 turns×3
    1. Overlap the two ends by about six inches.
    2. Wrap one tag end around the other line five times, then bring it back and pass it between the two lines where they cross.
    3. Wrap the other tag end five times the opposite way and pass it back through the same opening from the other side.
    4. Wet the knot and pull the two standing lines steadily until the wraps seat. Trim both tags close.
    The blood knot, step by step
  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×3
    1. Lay the new line alongside the end of the leader so they overlap about six inches, the ends pointing opposite ways.
    2. Holding the two lines as one, tie an overhand knot, passing the whole new piece through the loop.
    3. Pass the same ends through the loop twice more, three times in all.
    4. Wet it and pull all four ends evenly to seat the knot. Trim the tags.
    The triple surgeon's knot, step by step
  • Improved clinch knot · 5 turns×1
    1. Pass the tippet through the hook eye and pull about five inches through.
    2. Wrap the tag around the standing line five to seven times.
    3. Pass the tag through the small loop just above the eye, then back through the large loop you just made.
    4. Wet it and pull the standing line so the wraps snug down against the eye. Trim the tag.
    The improved clinch knot, step by step

When and how to fish it

Cast this leader to banks, weeds, and structure where grasshoppers are likely to land. Let the fly sit or twitch gently on the water, mimicking a real hopper's behavior. Fish it during the warmest parts of the day in summer and early fall when hoppers are most active. Work the edges of current seams and slower pockets where trout feed. Short, accurate casts often work better than distance with this setup.

If your hopper splashes down too hard or your tippet breaks on the forward cast, try choking up a bit on your grip and using a slightly easier, more controlled stroke. The butt is stout enough to handle the fly, but a smooth acceleration beats raw power.

Common questions

  • Why such a stout butt for a dry-fly leader?

    Grasshoppers and other terrestrials are bulky, wind-resistant flies. The thick butt generates the power to throw them accurately without tiring your arm or breaking tippet on the cast.

  • Can I use this leader with smaller flies?

    Yes. The 2X tippet will work fine with attractor dries and smaller hoppers, though you might find a lighter leader more delicate for very picky fish on calm days.

  • What's the advantage of Powerflex on the tippet?

    Powerflex is supple and abrasion resistant, which helps your tippet knot hold tight and gives the fly a natural drift when the leader is floating.

  • When should I retie the tippet section?

    Replace it whenever it feels weak, after you've caught several fish, or if you notice fraying near your fly knot. A fresh 2X section takes just a minute to tie.

  • How often do I need to change this whole leader?

    If it still floats, tapers evenly, and has no weak spots, you can fish it all season. Retire it if the butt gets cracked or kinked, or if the taper feels inconsistent.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutDryFreestoneBig river

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