Foam Knobby Hopper  by Leigh Baragwanath

HOOK SIZE #14 Dry Fly Hook 

BODY Yellow Foam marked with green waterproof marker

LEGS Orange Uni-Flexx

OVER WING Pheasant back feather

HEAD Natural Deer Hair Tied in Bullet Head Fashion

METHOD

Sequence of tying the fly is easy.

First coat a pheasant back feather with flexi-cement and pull feather between thumb and finger until cement is almost dry and leave until required. This narrows the feather to the preferred shape.

While this is drying the abdomen is tied in above the bend on a bed of thread and allowed to sit high, do not allow much of the foam to cover the shank as it only adds weight and no useful purpose. Paint foam with texta colour of your choice. 

The wing case (pheasant back feather) is then tied over and ending at the tail of the foam. Next tie on the legs and bullet tie the deer hair head, whip finish and thoroughly coat the head with varnish. 

THE FLY

My Foam Knobby Hopper is more of a bullet head that I have used with much success in a varied range of colours throughout the hopper season, I find the green and yellow a great combination.

It has been purposefully tied with very little hook clearance as I am happy to see the take and prick the fish without actually landing it, less stress on the fish and I don't keep them anyway.

The orange legs are a key to the attractive qualities of the fly and offer good movement. With little added weight. The fly sits low on the water, which I believe is also an important factor.