Grasshopper (Hopper)

Latin: Order Orthoptera, family Acrididae Sizes (fly): #6 – #12 Where: Throughout North America; especially productive on rivers running through grassland or sage country

Overview

When summer hits its hottest stretch and aquatic hatches thin out, hoppers become the menu. Wind-blown grasshoppers landing on the water generate some of the most violent surface strikes of the year — large adult fish that have been holding deep all summer come up hard for the easy meal. A foam hopper drifted along grassy banks in mid-August is a Western trout-fishing classic.

Life cycle and angler relevance

Hoppers don't actually emerge from the water — they're terrestrials blown or knocked in from streamside grass. The fishing peaks on hot, breezy afternoons (1–6 PM) when wind action is at its highest. Bank-side casting near tall grass beats mid-river presentations for obvious reasons. The Kingfisher 7/30/2025 and 8/11/2025 reports leaned hard on hoppers — "Hoppers like the Donkey Kong and Panty Dropper, along with Bionic and Glitter Ants, have been getting it done."

Imitating patterns

Donkey Kong (signature foam hopper), Panty Dropper (foam hopper), Chubby Chernobyl (in tan/yellow), Charlie Boy Hopper, Morrish Hopper, Fat Albert (in larger sizes). For added realism: hopper-dropper rigs with a Pheasant Tail Nymph or Frenchie underneath.

References

• Wikipedia: Grasshopper
• Mentioned in 2025 Kingfisher Blackfoot July–August reports plus other Missoula-area reports

Two grasshoppers in habitat (Utah)

Anacridium (alternate species reference)