The Letort Hopper, is a classic fly fishing terrestrial pattern, developed by Ed Shenk, who uses this fly on his home water, Letort Spring Creek in Pennsylvania. This fly floats great and resembles not only a grasshopper, but can be mistaken by trout as a caddis or stonefly as well.

"I have caught many good trout when fly fishing with a Letort Hopper. I learned about this fly in the early 1980’s. I fly fished in Pennsylvania often during those years. One of the streams I fished was Letort Spring Creek. I was told at a fly shop in Boiling Springs, the Letort Hopper is a very good fly to use in that area. I bought some and tried them. They worked for me, there and just about everywhere else I fly fish for trout.

I like the Letort Hopper because it is available in small sizes. I’ve always bought them instead of tying the flies myself. I’ve never been good at spinning deer hair. I know it’s not that hard but I just never wanted to learn.

This fly was first tied by Ed Shenk who lives near Letort Spring Creek in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This fly and the Letort Cricket have both worked for me. I can’t say I like one over the other. I like both of them.

This fly should be one of your arsenal of flies during the Summer months, wherever you live and fly fish. They work well in the Great Smoky Mountains though you don’t see many hoppers here. I’ve fished with them in other States. It always works if the conditions are right, warm temperatures and terrestrials on the water. This is a Summer fly."

Byron Begley

Available in size #14 through #16. 

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Little River Outfitters is a fly shop and mail order company located in Townsend, Tennessee, a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We have been family owned since 1994.