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3. grasshopper colors

I live in central/western, pa. What colors are the grasshoppers in this area? I guess I mean the part the fish sees. Also, would you tie them in sizes 8 and 10? Are they tan and olive?
Thanks

I would suggest to go outside and walk around some tall grass in mid day. you should see some jump around. I tie mine with a light tan body with grizzly wrap, but I bet ours here in michigan have a darker body. I am a firm believer that proportions are more important than color. I use a #10 streamer hook. yeah it floats no problem

Bruce,

We have lots of different grasshopper species in PA, but Scott is probably right--the exact color shouldn't matter that much unless the trout are seeing a heavy concentration of only one species.

I suppose that could happen when the Carolinas (the strong fliers that display black underwings with light borders when in flight) are flying around en masse, but I don't think these actually hit the water as often as some of the weaker fliers. Other fairly common hoppers that we see include the Differential, Red-Legged, Migratory, and Bird (American and Alutacea). Most of these have yellowish, yellowish-brown, or yellowish-gray bodies. (The Red-Legged can be olive as well.)

Size varies with species and time of year, but when the adults are active in the summer, 2X- or 3X-long #8s and #10s make for a pretty good average. One opportunity that fly fishers sometimes miss comes when the young nymphs ("baby" grasshoppers) are hanging out on streamside bushes earlier in the season. Then, a smaller (#12 or #14) wingless imitation in yellow, gray, or olive can be a killer for trout that lurk beneath the bushes.

I hope that helps.