@@SavageFlies Ironically, i just watched this video the other day. I thought it was cool because it was from NY. I also thought how cool it is how you've grown from your earlier videos into the personality you have now. Kudos to you my friend. Yep still have the same address. And I'll take the blue one since I already have the khaki one. 😁😁😁. Thanks! 🙏
Hello Matt.Cold here in the mountains,ground was white this morning not got above freezing today 10 degree for tonight.Bullet head tools makes the heads a lot easier. Have a great weekend
Sure. Rub it in. We still have several inches of snow but looking like we may a have a true Spring soon. Temps are in high 20s and mid teens but calling for high 40s low 40s late March. Love this hopper! Thx Matt.
You're a long way from hopper season Clyde! But I'll bet in the summertime your Alaskan grasshoppers can get pretty big! Thanks for the note my friend. :-)
Good morning matt.a little background on myself.born in Maryland fished lakes, streams,and of course the Chesapeake Bay my whole life.i became a licensed captain in 2000 and prior to that worked as a mate on charter boats.about 4 years ago I got burned out from the chartering and took a break from fishing.i enjoy perch fishing and trout fishing.it's nice to be able to select you're day's and do your own thing, without the pressure to produce fish everyday.i am currently caring for my father who had a fall in August and has had a slew of setbacks.when COVID hit I started tying micro jig's for perch fishing.i found your channel and subscribed.i really enjoy watching it,and it helps me get through the difficult times I am dealing with caring for my father.anyhow sorry to babble.i have a copy of gelso and coburn's guide to trout fishing MD .if at all possible could you add to your to do list Sheppard's patuxent special and coburn's cressbug.i am sorry for the long comment thanks Matt and be safe.
Joe, no apologies necessary! I love reading about the folks who watch and learning a little about everybody. Sorry to hear about your dad, but I appreciate the kind words and am happy to hear my channel has helped you through some tough times. And I'm very familiar with Charlie and Larry's book. I probably have three copies of it! And I just added Jay's Patuxent Special and Coburn's Cress to my to-do list. Thanks for the note my friend, and thanks for the encouraging words of support.
I think Ive missed a few of your flies, Ill have to catch up, now our flood issues are clearing ive got some spare time to check out your craftsmanship.
Good looking hopper Matt. You make it look really easy as usual. For me, it will most likely take an entire deer to get it to look right. Look out Bambi!
Good morning Matt. We woke to -20F here yesterday but today is a balmy 14F and we may even see 34F today. Alas we will likely be shovelling more snow. Winter just won’t give up this year. Slept in a bit so missed the name the fly but that’s okay. Liked the pattern today but the hoppers here would find things a little stiff. Weather forecast is saying the snow is supposed to start in 2 hours. Oh yippee!! Time for another coffee…..might have to put a little antifreeze in this one. 😉
Oh man, you're not kidding with the winters up there John! I had to fire up the wood burning stove last night, but our low was about 30F so not too bad. And they're calling for a couple inches of snow and slush tonight. Just enough to make most folks stay in. Stay safe my friend!
Cool looking hopper Matt, it was 72 yesterday and a half inch of snow this morning Don't remember what the name on that fly but I think I saw the video of it, I sure 30 people have named it by the time I saw this video Maybe next time Thanks again Matt
Love new hopper patterns! We finally got a nice day 55 degrees and light winds so we went fishing 🎣. I didn’t get skunk but my husband did so it was a good day for me 😍.
I wish I was watching that far back. Good luck people. That is going to make a great hopper dropper. Since I don't like indicating fishing, I will attempt this fly. Thanks Matt.
Appreciate it Nich! And yes, big foam bodies hoppers make great top flies on hopper/dropper rigs. That's pretty much how I always fish them too. If nothing else, I'll hand a little zebra midge off the bend.
I'm gonna have to give this pattern a try. I have at least a dozen gray squirrel tails and a few fox squirrel I have acquired over the past few hunting seasons. And hoppers are my favorite pattern to tie so why not! And I remember you tying that streamer but it sure doesn't seem like 2 years already, you've grown alot Matt, I know you're proud of what this channel has become, I sure am!
Thanks David! I really appreciate this comment. And the fact that you've come along for this long ride with me. You're probably one of my longest subscribers who still watches and regularly comments. And I sincerely thank you for that. :-)
Nice hopper pattern. One of many using foam bodies to keep it floating and use it for hopper/dropper rigs. I found that if you open your stacker with the tips facing the way you want them to lay, you have less handling and fewer chances to mess up.
Good morning Matt, ☕️☕️ Love, love, love that hopper! As far as naming the fly I can’t remember what I had for breakfast yesterday 🤪 We got a lite dusting here but high winds. We have some more bad air heading our way. I think I will go out and practice casting into the wind😳 Have a safe weekend in all of this👍
Watch out panfish! Here comes Jim!! Have fun man... stay warm. I think I'm staying in today. Maybe a quick trip to town and run by the post office to mail Alex a hat, but otherwise it's going to be a cold, rainy, lazy Saturday around here. :-)
That's one crazy looking fly! I haven't seen a bullet head deer hair fly before. That's why I love your channel, always something interesting! Thanks Matt!
Gotta love that weather, huh? 76 degrees a couple days ago and 2" of snow today! As an added bonus I'm only a couple miles from the ranges at Quantico and the Marines are practicing blowing things up today, while the cloud layer acts like a reflector and makes it sound like war has broken out in my back yard. Kool pattern Matt! I think I'll make it my first hopper tie. Thanks for all you do.
Ahhhh Quantico. Some of my folks from here in Maryland work down on the base there quite often. Being down that far though, you're a pretty good way from good trout water aren't you? Is the Charlottesville area a drivable distance for you? I fished some of the streams from the top of Skyline Drive last summer. I'm thinking of making a trip to the Rapidan and the area streams again this year as well.
@@SavageFlies Yeah, I'm a few miles SW of Manassas so pretty far from real trout water. C'ville is about 90 minutes +/-, not too bad. I've been having some fun playing around a couple of small lakes in the area & that's kept me entertained the last couple of summers while COVID gets sorted out. Might decide to head towards Charlottesville this summer for some serious fishing.
Thanks Jim. And yeah, it's not a book I usually recommend to new tiers as it's pretty expensive still and not at all a how-to book. But I think you'd benefit a lot from it. And with over 1,600 patterns, there are a lot of cool ones in it!
Appreciate it Todd! Yeah, I still struggle with bullet heads. Have you ever done any of the bullet head streamers from the Thunder Creek series? I've got Kieth Fulsher's book but haven't done too many yet. They do look cool though!
Great video. I love fishing a hopper as an indicator, so I'm going to tie up a few of these for sure. I slept in today so I believe a few already answered the quiz. Have a great weekend Matt!
With the number of flies you have tied in the past year, I would definitely have to go rewatch. Anyway I am too late. Nice bullet head hopper, another nice terrestrial for the late spring/summer/fall. Thanks for another great video Matt. That give away fly is really early in your ties, the barb is still there.
Shushan Postmaster, named after thenpostmaster of Shushan, NY! A "classic" on your channel. This hopper looks sweet and simple. I may try wrapping the foam body on a hopper, but I don't have any deer hair. Heck, I don't have any squirrel tail...or rabbit...yeah, I donate much in the materials department...lol
Good morning sir Matt. Cool fly was just looking at this yesterday love that book. Getting a snow storm here this morning so I will be tying up a few this morning. Love the trivia idea I'm to late for today's Shushan Postmaster by Art Prindle Have a great day and stay safe my friend.
Thanks Karl! Yeah, Alex seemed to be on the ball this morning. I figured somebody out there would get this one pretty quick. Have a great weekend my friend!
I don't know what the flies called but congratulations Alex I know what it's called now. I watch the videos to the end, not because of prizes but because I think Matt takes the art of fly tank seriously and passing it on seriously. Kudos matt thanks for all you do Luke
Well thank you Luke, I appreciate the kind words my friend. I know I do take it seriously sometimes (at least the history of it all that interests me), but I also have to remind myself that I do this for fun! And it's okay to make shabby flies sometimes. :-)
Good Morning Matt. This looks like an awesome pattern. Staying home today due to this snow storm we're getting. Looking forward to tying this one up today. Thanks Matt. Happy Tying my friend.
Really nice fly Matt, the madam x is a favourite of mine so this one will defo get a swim. It's still cold and wet here in Scotland until around May then it's a bit warmer and wet until September 😂
Yes Graham! It definitely reminded me of the Madam X. Without looking it up, I'm not sure which came first, the Madam X or the Henry's Fork Hopper. Both pretty similar, and both great flies!
Awesome Matt, that’s really cool, hopper I have never tired or fished one before but I’m going tie couple in different colors and try them, thanks for sharing yours.
Shushan Postmaster. Done by a guy named Lew Oatman. It was named for a postmaster in Shushan by the named Al Prindle. A real old steelie and salmon pattern.
Hoppers are my favorite fly! Caught some perch and small largemouth on them Thursday before cold front..the first hopper bite this year.🙂 Going to be warm next week, (Spring Break here, get a few days off🎣) will tie some of these and give them a great workout I’m sure!👍 No idea what that fly is called..but it’s a nice one! Thanks so much for sharing the history and your knowledge of old flies. Much appreciated! Have a great weekend Matt!
Always appreciate it Charlie! The only terrestrials I've seen out this year are some beetles in my wood pile. And ants trying to eat my cookies at work. :-) But spring is not far off!
Hi Matt thanks for the hopper. I'll have to try tying it as there are not a lot of trout fishing in the are where I live, central Texas. But I have bought 2 books Flies for Bass and Panfish by Dick Stewart and Farrow Allen and Clouser's flies by Bob Clouser both are excellent books. I look forward to using them both.
Funny you mention Clouser's book James... I just picked that up recently too. I haven't tied anything out of it yet, but that will be one of my next reviews. Thanks for the note!
A bullet head squirrel hopper? Why not! I just read Beatty's tying tips in Fly Tyer a while back on winding a foam body. I think he's had some previous tips on deer hair & bullet heads too. Excellent tie Matt. I can't believe you're not getting a full view on your channel? Why does it matter? I told you I watch start to finish. Then go back in snippets while researching to gain more knowledge. Oh well, why don't my emojis work all the time?!?! As far as that awesome hair wing streamer goes, I wouldn't call that bad - unless you mean video quality. Looks familiar too, but I don't know whose or what it is. And I didn't cheat.... sort of ;o) I should've looked in Valla's book. I did google a description, nada. The winner must have a better search engine, or a good memory. Looks like you have a winner. What's up with this weather? We had record high too like you did, snow and the "ice rink" of a backyard are gone. Until today :o( Winter Weather Warning today until tomorrow early AM. But that record high kick started the bird's nest building and migrations of Snow and Canada geese, Black birds, etc. Well I have to go snow blow before the wind picks up and my sweetheart comes home. St. Patrick's Parade today, hope they're "fortified" ;o) I'll be observing St. Joseph's Day today. I'll have my own parade behind my vintage Ariens snowblower "float". Have a great day Matt.
Man Joe, my day sounds a lot more fun that yours. Okay, a couple answers here. When doing the research of this pattern, I can across an old video of Al and Gretchen called something like, "Tips for tying with Squirrel Tail." The video wasn't online but it looked like it was once sold as a VHS tape. As far as watching my videos and the RUclips algorithm... if someone watches a video for 30 seconds and then clicks away, that sends a strong signal to YT that it's a crappy video. Or at least a video that that particular person didn't like. They measure all kinds of metrics like that. And if after a couple hours of a video being up, it's getting an average view duration of 20-30%, they will stop recommending that one to anybody. And that video dies a quick death. And if a video has 80-90% AVD, well that's how a video goes viral. The algorithm says, "Wow, lots of people love this one. Let's start recommending it to more people." And if the AVD stays high, the recommend to even more people, then more people, until they've started showing it to people who eventually don't like it enough and the AVD starts dropping. So that's how a video either blows up, or dies. Most of us channel makers are somewhere in the middle. I think the average across all of YT is about 50%. I'm usually right there slightly above the average. And oh yeah, the holy grail of YT thinking people like a video is three things: a full watch, a thumbs up, and then a comment. Okay, enough of behind-the-scenes YT stuff... Yep, Alex got that the trivia pattern was the Shushan Postmaster, created by Lew Oatman and named after Al Prindle who was the postmaster in Shushan, NY way back in the day. Apparently they were fishing buddies and Lew named it after Al. I'm glad you mentioned St. Patrick's Day! That's our next holiday streamer, name the fly pattern. Maybe I'll play around with designing that on this rainy/snowy Saturday here in Maryland. Obviously a lot of green, maybe some silver and gold. How many name entries do you think are going to be the Leprechaun something? I'm betting a lot. But that's cool... I've never heard of a fly with leprechaun in the name. Okay, back to my weekend chores. Later...
@@SavageFliesI knew about the 👍and 🖊comments (see now emojis are back!) Algorithms suck🤢If I watch a video, no matter the subject, I get swamped with similar video suggestions.😒Well I'll do my part. That's a sure bet on the leprechauns, or wee people. Well I'll suggest a green snake lure 🐍 named "Kermit had a hissy fit" 🐸I don't if a snake lure is Irish but it's used a lot in the UK. I think if I fasted for 40 days I'd chase snakes into sea too. Thanks Matt 🤓☘👍
Use a broad tip permanent marker two color the edge of the foam prior to wrapping and you will get something of a segmented look. Probably not necessary, but, why not? Pretty cool pattern and nice and simple. I love that best - thanks Matt
Fire Throat? I really have no idea, but hey, maybe I guessed right. As for this fly I'm just wondering if you could use a fine wire to counterwrap the body for some segmentation and maybe to keep the foam from getting ripped up. Keep the good stuff coming Matt.
I think you could definitely put a thin wire rib on this one, and it wouldn't be a bad idea if it started getting shredded on you. But I've found foam bodies usually hold up pretty well for me. But then again, I don't catch a lot of big, toothy fish very often. :-)
Hello Matt! Excellent tie Matt, that's what I call a work of art. Very nice. I took you up on the info you gave me a few weeks ago about hooks. I went with the flyshack, I ordered three different types of hooks, the quality and quantity looks pretty good to me. It looks like I now have a place to buy hooks,thanks to you. Thanks for the info. I'm going to guess the name of that fly is a Micky Finn?have a great weekend 😀.
Appreciate it Jim! I'm glad you found some hooks you like. Like most of us you'll find that after you get used to a few different sizes and styles you might end up with a couple different go-to hooks that you end up using for a lot of ties. Mine is a #12-14 dry fly and light nymph hook. It's a barbless, 1x long, with black finish. I use that thing for all kinds of patterns!
That’s a well designed fly. Next step, a Thunder Creek fly designed by Keith Fulsher. Since there aren’t any reinforcing wraps for the foam, I would want superglue or fabric glue (maybe better in this case) on the thread wrapped shank to prevent it from unwrapping if it got cut at either tie-down point. Quiz. Sorry to say that I already saw the correct answer in the comments during the opening of the video, so it isn’t fair to answer now. :-(
Funny you mentioned Fulsher. I've got his book. I can't remember exactly how I learned of it, but possibly from reading the bibliography page in one of Valla's books. Or just some random search. My copy is an old water-damaged hardback, but responding to this comment got me to look it up again. Apparently they released a paperback edition in 2021. And only $18 on Amazon right now. Okay, so disregard one of the things I said in my email to you a few minutes ago. I just ordered another copy to add to my to-do book review list. :-)
I didn’t have squirrel fur so I used my German Shepards tail fur and it turned out great she’s pure bred with a tricolour tail so I got some brown blonde and black in it
I have no idea what the fly is or who it is named after, but cool trivia idea! I love the hopper though and I just came into a squirrel tail last week that I am preserving now. (I died I front of our house:) ). So I have the materials for this. Question though, would it be beneficial to sun the last thread band? Just to cover them a bit and give it that collar look that grasshoppers have?
Have fun with that squirrel tail! As far as preserving them, I don't do anything at all to preserve them. I just whack them off and tack them up to my cork board. The bone inside does get stiff after it's dried out, but that's no big deal. I don't quite understand your last question though- what do you mean "sun the last thread band?"
That's a sassy looking hopper... Been wanting to ask this for a while, why do you always pinch down the barb on the hooks? Is it required by your state or personal choice? I'm sure its easier on the fish that way, just wondering...
Thanks Randy! Barbless hooks are not required in any states where I usually fish (MD, VA, NC and PA). It's just personal preference to either use barbless or pinch the barbs. I do pretty much fish all catch-and-release waters, and it breaks my heart if I ever catch a fish and maybe hooked it too deep where it takes a lot of work to get the hook out. You really decrease the odds of that fish surviving. And often times with barbless hooks, I never even have to touch the fish with my hands. Once in the net, I give the line a little slack and the hook comes right out. One other point- I used to think that I would lose more fish after hooking up if I didn't have a barbed hook, but I've not found that to be the case at all. And if I do lose a few fish because I'm using a barbless hook, oh well. I think it's still worth it.
I tied a few of these up today. They turned out pretty good but when I did the bowl of water test, they did NOT float. Any ideas? Did I wrap the foam too tight or does this fly require floatant?
Good question! Probably both. I can't remember the last time I fished this but I probably did use floatant and I'm sure it still sat pretty low in the surface film. But that's mostly okay. Even if it sits low, or sinks just a bit, it's still bright enough that you'll most likely be able to tell where it is in the water.
![NLE Choppa - Or What ft. 41 (Orchestra Mix) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/biOFASEgSOM/mqdefault.jpg)
The Shushan Postmaster, named after Al Prindle, the postmaster of Shushan, NY
And Alex takes the prize! I think I already have your address, if not send me an email and let me know which color hat you prefer. :-)
@@SavageFlies Ironically, i just watched this video the other day. I thought it was cool because it was from NY. I also thought how cool it is how you've grown from your earlier videos into the personality you have now. Kudos to you my friend. Yep still have the same address. And I'll take the blue one since I already have the khaki one. 😁😁😁. Thanks! 🙏
You got it brother! I'll drop a blue hat off ASAP. Good luck with the storm and stay safe my friend. :-)
Alex- I just got back from the post office. Your hat is on the way. 🙂
Thanks Matt, have a great evening & be blessed my friend
I would have to go back and look for that one but I won't cheat. LoL
I always watch to the end! Thanks again Matt.
So cool, can't wait to tie some of these bad boys up this summer !
Just the stimulation I needed to get to work. Thanks Matt.
Appreciate it Kris! Thanks for watching my friend. :-)
Great hopper. Thanks Matt
Appreciate it Chad!
Hello Matt.Cold here in the mountains,ground was white this morning not got above freezing today 10 degree for tonight.Bullet head tools makes the heads a lot easier. Have a great weekend
I've never seen a bullet head tool Ken... I'll have to look that up! Thanks for the note. :-)
the shushan postmaster....cool hopper matt thanks and as always i will be watching. see ya joe.
You got it Joe! A great little streamer from Lew Oatman. :-)
Nice hopper pattern, Matt! All the best, Gordon
Thanks Gordon! Appreciate the note my friend. :-)
Sure. Rub it in. We still have several inches of snow but looking like we may a have a true Spring soon. Temps are in high 20s and mid teens but calling for high 40s low 40s late March.
Love this hopper! Thx Matt.
You're a long way from hopper season Clyde! But I'll bet in the summertime your Alaskan grasshoppers can get pretty big! Thanks for the note my friend. :-)
Grate video as always l like the fly it looks like it will be a good fly ..... also its nice to someone give back thank you for all you do sir
Good morning matt.a little background on myself.born in Maryland fished lakes, streams,and of course the Chesapeake Bay my whole life.i became a licensed captain in 2000 and prior to that worked as a mate on charter boats.about 4 years ago I got burned out from the chartering and took a break from fishing.i enjoy perch fishing and trout fishing.it's nice to be able to select you're day's and do your own thing, without the pressure to produce fish everyday.i am currently caring for my father who had a fall in August and has had a slew of setbacks.when COVID hit I started tying micro jig's for perch fishing.i found your channel and subscribed.i really enjoy watching it,and it helps me get through the difficult times I am dealing with caring for my father.anyhow sorry to babble.i have a copy of gelso and coburn's guide to trout fishing MD .if at all possible could you add to your to do list Sheppard's patuxent special and coburn's cressbug.i am sorry for the long comment thanks Matt and be safe.
Joe, no apologies necessary! I love reading about the folks who watch and learning a little about everybody. Sorry to hear about your dad, but I appreciate the kind words and am happy to hear my channel has helped you through some tough times. And I'm very familiar with Charlie and Larry's book. I probably have three copies of it! And I just added Jay's Patuxent Special and Coburn's Cress to my to-do list. Thanks for the note my friend, and thanks for the encouraging words of support.
@@SavageFlies Matt thanks again for your response.i really appreciate your kind words.i look forward to seeing them tied.
I think Ive missed a few of your flies, Ill have to catch up, now our flood issues are clearing ive got some spare time to check out your craftsmanship.
Good looking hopper Matt. You make it look really easy as usual. For me, it will most likely take an entire deer to get it to look right. Look out Bambi!
Ha! No way Don. I tied a couple of shabby ones practicing for this video. And you know what? They're still going in my fly box. :-)
Matt, just love you encouraging industrious attitude. Great tie. We'll be hoppin ready🦗
Ha! Thanks Deborah. I'm already ready to start fishing hoppers. But Maryland weather is telling me we've still got a couple months yet. :-)
Nice hopper
I need to make a few in Different colors.
Appreciate it Peter! Have fun with it my friend. Yellows, greens, browns, and throw in some pink and purple too!
Good morning Matt. We woke to -20F here yesterday but today is a balmy 14F and we may even see 34F today. Alas we will likely be shovelling more snow. Winter just won’t give up this year. Slept in a bit so missed the name the fly but that’s okay. Liked the pattern today but the hoppers here would find things a little stiff. Weather forecast is saying the snow is supposed to start in 2 hours. Oh yippee!! Time for another coffee…..might have to put a little antifreeze in this one. 😉
Oh man, you're not kidding with the winters up there John! I had to fire up the wood burning stove last night, but our low was about 30F so not too bad. And they're calling for a couple inches of snow and slush tonight. Just enough to make most folks stay in. Stay safe my friend!
Cool looking hopper Matt, it was 72 yesterday and a half inch of snow this morning
Don't remember what the name on that fly but I think I saw the video of it, I sure 30 people have named it by the time I saw this video
Maybe next time
Thanks again Matt
Love new hopper patterns! We finally got a nice day 55 degrees and light winds so we went fishing 🎣. I didn’t get skunk but my husband did so it was a good day for me 😍.
Ha! Sometimes I'm glad my wife doesn't fish. I don't know if I would live it down if she got into some fish and I got skunked. :-)
Hi Matt! Nice hopper pattern!! Looks fun to tie. Might just need to try this one for the summer
I wish I was watching that far back. Good luck people. That is going to make a great hopper dropper. Since I don't like indicating fishing, I will attempt this fly. Thanks Matt.
Appreciate it Nich! And yes, big foam bodies hoppers make great top flies on hopper/dropper rigs. That's pretty much how I always fish them too. If nothing else, I'll hand a little zebra midge off the bend.
I'm gonna have to give this pattern a try. I have at least a dozen gray squirrel tails and a few fox squirrel I have acquired over the past few hunting seasons. And hoppers are my favorite pattern to tie so why not! And I remember you tying that streamer but it sure doesn't seem like 2 years already, you've grown alot Matt, I know you're proud of what this channel has become, I sure am!
Thanks David! I really appreciate this comment. And the fact that you've come along for this long ride with me. You're probably one of my longest subscribers who still watches and regularly comments. And I sincerely thank you for that. :-)
Nice hopper pattern. One of many using foam bodies to keep it floating and use it for hopper/dropper rigs.
I found that if you open your stacker with the tips facing the way you want them to lay, you have less handling and fewer chances to mess up.
Absolutely right Ed! I always try to remember to open my stacker that way too. :-)
Thanks for the video. May have to try this.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching my friend. :-)
Good morning Matt, ☕️☕️
Love, love, love that hopper! As far as naming the fly I can’t remember what I had for breakfast yesterday 🤪
We got a lite dusting here but high winds. We have some more bad air heading our way. I think I will go out and practice casting into the wind😳
Have a safe weekend in all of this👍
Watch out panfish! Here comes Jim!! Have fun man... stay warm. I think I'm staying in today. Maybe a quick trip to town and run by the post office to mail Alex a hat, but otherwise it's going to be a cold, rainy, lazy Saturday around here. :-)
That's one crazy looking fly! I haven't seen a bullet head deer hair fly before. That's why I love your channel, always something interesting! Thanks Matt!
Thanks Troy! And yeah, this is a fun little hopper to tie. I can't wait to see how it fishes. :-)
A very good and easy hopper dropper pattern. As always thanks for finding these hidden gems. Bravo Zulu.
You bet Dennis! Thanks for watching my friend. :-)
Gotta love that weather, huh? 76 degrees a couple days ago and 2" of snow today! As an added bonus I'm only a couple miles from the ranges at Quantico and the Marines are practicing blowing things up today, while the cloud layer acts like a reflector and makes it sound like war has broken out in my back yard. Kool pattern Matt! I think I'll make it my first hopper tie. Thanks for all you do.
Ahhhh Quantico. Some of my folks from here in Maryland work down on the base there quite often. Being down that far though, you're a pretty good way from good trout water aren't you? Is the Charlottesville area a drivable distance for you? I fished some of the streams from the top of Skyline Drive last summer. I'm thinking of making a trip to the Rapidan and the area streams again this year as well.
@@SavageFlies Yeah, I'm a few miles SW of Manassas so pretty far from real trout water. C'ville is about 90 minutes +/-, not too bad. I've been having some fun playing around a couple of small lakes in the area & that's kept me entertained the last couple of summers while COVID gets sorted out. Might decide to head towards Charlottesville this summer for some serious fishing.
Nice hopper pattern matt.looks great.another pattern for the summer box.thanks matt!
Definitely Mike! I can't wait for the warm weather. :-)
Nice looking hopper Matt, thanks for sharing. Great idea with the trivia.
Thanks Layton. We'll see how it goes. And if it works and people like it, I'll try to do it every now and then. Have a great weekend my friend!
That's a neat hopper, Matt. For whatever reason, I resisted buying the FFF book. You are making me think that was a mistake.
Thanks Jim. And yeah, it's not a book I usually recommend to new tiers as it's pretty expensive still and not at all a how-to book. But I think you'd benefit a lot from it. And with over 1,600 patterns, there are a lot of cool ones in it!
Bullet heads are a struggle to get right at first, but with practice, they make a great terrestrial head. Nice pattern, Matt. Have a great weekend. 😎
Appreciate it Todd! Yeah, I still struggle with bullet heads. Have you ever done any of the bullet head streamers from the Thunder Creek series? I've got Kieth Fulsher's book but haven't done too many yet. They do look cool though!
@@SavageFlies I have tied a few, but I've never had much success fishing them. I may have to give them a try again...they are a pretty cool pattern.
Great video. I love fishing a hopper as an indicator, so I'm going to tie up a few of these for sure. I slept in today so I believe a few already answered the quiz. Have a great weekend Matt!
Same here Todd! I can't wait for it to be warm enough to start tossing some of these big bugs. :-)
With the number of flies you have tied in the past year, I would definitely have to go rewatch. Anyway I am too late. Nice bullet head hopper, another nice terrestrial for the late spring/summer/fall. Thanks for another great video Matt. That give away fly is really early in your ties, the barb is still there.
Yes, it was! And I think way back then I used a 12 second intro with some banjo music. My videos have certainly evolved a lot since then. :-)
Morning Matt, thanks for the tie, really like the foam technique, might be able to use that in other patterns
Definitely Monty. We could probably design an emerger with a thin foam body too.
Shushan Postmaster, named after thenpostmaster of Shushan, NY! A "classic" on your channel. This hopper looks sweet and simple. I may try wrapping the foam body on a hopper, but I don't have any deer hair. Heck, I don't have any squirrel tail...or rabbit...yeah, I donate much in the materials department...lol
Ha! Definitely pick up some deer hair and a squirrel tail. I think they are two of the best materials we could use!
Looks like a great hopper pattern! Thanks for the instructions! I will definitely tie this.
Yes Matt I feel the same. It got pretty warm this last week so I whipped up a few flies and was looking for a cricket/hopper pattern. Perfect timing.
Awesome! Have fun with it my friend. :-)
Good morning sir Matt. Cool fly was just looking at this yesterday love that book. Getting a snow storm here this morning so I will be tying up a few this morning. Love the trivia idea I'm to late for today's Shushan Postmaster by Art Prindle Have a great day and stay safe my friend.
Thanks Karl! Yeah, Alex seemed to be on the ball this morning. I figured somebody out there would get this one pretty quick. Have a great weekend my friend!
I don't know what the flies called but congratulations Alex I know what it's called now. I watch the videos to the end, not because of prizes but because I think Matt takes the art of fly tank seriously and passing it on seriously. Kudos matt thanks for all you do Luke
Well thank you Luke, I appreciate the kind words my friend. I know I do take it seriously sometimes (at least the history of it all that interests me), but I also have to remind myself that I do this for fun! And it's okay to make shabby flies sometimes. :-)
Good Morning Matt. This looks like an awesome pattern. Staying home today due to this snow storm we're getting. Looking forward to tying this one up today. Thanks Matt. Happy Tying my friend.
Really nice fly Matt, the madam x is a favourite of mine so this one will defo get a swim. It's still cold and wet here in Scotland until around May then it's a bit warmer and wet until September 😂
Yes Graham! It definitely reminded me of the Madam X. Without looking it up, I'm not sure which came first, the Madam X or the Henry's Fork Hopper. Both pretty similar, and both great flies!
Very nice Hopper. This one looks fun to tie. Great video. Thank you Sir.
Awesome Matt, that’s really cool, hopper I have never tired or fished one before but I’m going tie couple in different colors and try them, thanks for sharing yours.
Oh man, you definitely should! Hopper fishing can be a blast. I love it because even bad casters can catch fish with a big beefy hopper pattern. :-)
Shushan Postmaster. Done by a guy named Lew Oatman. It was named for a postmaster in Shushan by the named Al Prindle. A real old steelie and salmon pattern.
You got it Ed! Alex was first with the right answer but cool to hear you recognized it. :-)
Hoppers are my favorite fly! Caught some perch and small largemouth on them Thursday before cold front..the first hopper bite this year.🙂 Going to be warm next week, (Spring Break here, get a few days off🎣) will tie some of these and give them a great workout I’m sure!👍 No idea what that fly is called..but it’s a nice one! Thanks so much for sharing the history and your knowledge of old flies. Much appreciated! Have a great weekend Matt!
Always appreciate it Charlie! The only terrestrials I've seen out this year are some beetles in my wood pile. And ants trying to eat my cookies at work. :-) But spring is not far off!
Hi Matt thanks for the hopper. I'll have to try tying it as there are not a lot of trout fishing in the are where I live, central Texas. But I have bought 2 books Flies for Bass and Panfish by Dick Stewart and Farrow Allen and Clouser's flies by Bob Clouser both are excellent books. I look forward to using them both.
Funny you mention Clouser's book James... I just picked that up recently too. I haven't tied anything out of it yet, but that will be one of my next reviews. Thanks for the note!
@@SavageFlies Your welcome Matt. The next book I intend to buy is Tim Cammisas new book.
@@jamesday3216 FWIW, I did a quick review of his book last fall so check that out if you want to get a glimpse of what's inside it. 🙂
@@SavageFlies I did and really like what you had to say . I will buy it the first of April.
A bullet head squirrel hopper? Why not! I just read Beatty's tying tips in Fly Tyer a while back on winding a foam body. I think he's had some previous tips on deer hair & bullet heads too. Excellent tie Matt. I can't believe you're not getting a full view on your channel? Why does it matter? I told you I watch start to finish. Then go back in snippets while researching to gain more knowledge. Oh well, why don't my emojis work all the time?!?! As far as that awesome hair wing streamer goes, I wouldn't call that bad - unless you mean video quality. Looks familiar too, but I don't know whose or what it is. And I didn't cheat.... sort of ;o) I should've looked in Valla's book. I did google a description, nada. The winner must have a better search engine, or a good memory. Looks like you have a winner. What's up with this weather? We had record high too like you did, snow and the "ice rink" of a backyard are gone. Until today :o( Winter Weather Warning today until tomorrow early AM. But that record high kick started the bird's nest building and migrations of Snow and Canada geese, Black birds, etc. Well I have to go snow blow before the wind picks up and my sweetheart comes home. St. Patrick's Parade today, hope they're "fortified" ;o) I'll be observing St. Joseph's Day today. I'll have my own parade behind my vintage Ariens snowblower "float". Have a great day Matt.
Man Joe, my day sounds a lot more fun that yours. Okay, a couple answers here. When doing the research of this pattern, I can across an old video of Al and Gretchen called something like, "Tips for tying with Squirrel Tail." The video wasn't online but it looked like it was once sold as a VHS tape. As far as watching my videos and the RUclips algorithm... if someone watches a video for 30 seconds and then clicks away, that sends a strong signal to YT that it's a crappy video. Or at least a video that that particular person didn't like. They measure all kinds of metrics like that. And if after a couple hours of a video being up, it's getting an average view duration of 20-30%, they will stop recommending that one to anybody. And that video dies a quick death. And if a video has 80-90% AVD, well that's how a video goes viral. The algorithm says, "Wow, lots of people love this one. Let's start recommending it to more people." And if the AVD stays high, the recommend to even more people, then more people, until they've started showing it to people who eventually don't like it enough and the AVD starts dropping. So that's how a video either blows up, or dies. Most of us channel makers are somewhere in the middle. I think the average across all of YT is about 50%. I'm usually right there slightly above the average. And oh yeah, the holy grail of YT thinking people like a video is three things: a full watch, a thumbs up, and then a comment. Okay, enough of behind-the-scenes YT stuff...
Yep, Alex got that the trivia pattern was the Shushan Postmaster, created by Lew Oatman and named after Al Prindle who was the postmaster in Shushan, NY way back in the day. Apparently they were fishing buddies and Lew named it after Al.
I'm glad you mentioned St. Patrick's Day! That's our next holiday streamer, name the fly pattern. Maybe I'll play around with designing that on this rainy/snowy Saturday here in Maryland. Obviously a lot of green, maybe some silver and gold. How many name entries do you think are going to be the Leprechaun something? I'm betting a lot. But that's cool... I've never heard of a fly with leprechaun in the name. Okay, back to my weekend chores. Later...
@@SavageFliesI knew about the 👍and 🖊comments (see now emojis are back!) Algorithms suck🤢If I watch a video, no matter the subject, I get swamped with similar video suggestions.😒Well I'll do my part. That's a sure bet on the leprechauns, or wee people. Well I'll suggest a green snake lure 🐍 named "Kermit had a hissy fit" 🐸I don't if a snake lure is Irish but it's used a lot in the UK. I think if I fasted for 40 days I'd chase snakes into sea too. Thanks Matt 🤓☘👍
Use a broad tip permanent marker two color the edge of the foam prior to wrapping and you will get something of a segmented look.
Probably not necessary, but, why not? Pretty cool pattern and nice and simple. I love that best - thanks Matt
Fire Throat? I really have no idea, but hey, maybe I guessed right. As for this fly I'm just wondering if you could use a fine wire to counterwrap the body for some segmentation and maybe to keep the foam from getting ripped up. Keep the good stuff coming Matt.
I think you could definitely put a thin wire rib on this one, and it wouldn't be a bad idea if it started getting shredded on you. But I've found foam bodies usually hold up pretty well for me. But then again, I don't catch a lot of big, toothy fish very often. :-)
Hello Matt! Excellent tie Matt, that's what I call a work of art. Very nice. I took you up on the info you gave me a few weeks ago about hooks. I went with the flyshack, I ordered three different types of hooks, the quality and quantity looks pretty good to me. It looks like I now have a place to buy hooks,thanks to you. Thanks for the info. I'm going to guess the name of that fly is a Micky Finn?have a great weekend 😀.
Appreciate it Jim! I'm glad you found some hooks you like. Like most of us you'll find that after you get used to a few different sizes and styles you might end up with a couple different go-to hooks that you end up using for a lot of ties. Mine is a #12-14 dry fly and light nymph hook. It's a barbless, 1x long, with black finish. I use that thing for all kinds of patterns!
This is a cool hopper
That’s a well designed fly. Next step, a Thunder Creek fly designed by Keith Fulsher. Since there aren’t any reinforcing wraps for the foam, I would want superglue or fabric glue (maybe better in this case) on the thread wrapped shank to prevent it from unwrapping if it got cut at either tie-down point.
Quiz. Sorry to say that I already saw the correct answer in the comments during the opening of the video, so it isn’t fair to answer now. :-(
Funny you mentioned Fulsher. I've got his book. I can't remember exactly how I learned of it, but possibly from reading the bibliography page in one of Valla's books. Or just some random search. My copy is an old water-damaged hardback, but responding to this comment got me to look it up again. Apparently they released a paperback edition in 2021. And only $18 on Amazon right now. Okay, so disregard one of the things I said in my email to you a few minutes ago. I just ordered another copy to add to my to-do book review list. :-)
Wish I knew the name of the fly, would love a hat 👍
It was a pattern from Lew Oatman
I didn’t have squirrel fur so I used my German Shepards tail fur and it turned out great she’s pure bred with a tricolour tail so I got some brown blonde and black in it
I have no idea what the fly is or who it is named after, but cool trivia idea! I love the hopper though and I just came into a squirrel tail last week that I am preserving now. (I died I front of our house:) ). So I have the materials for this.
Question though, would it be beneficial to sun the last thread band? Just to cover them a bit and give it that collar look that grasshoppers have?
Have fun with that squirrel tail! As far as preserving them, I don't do anything at all to preserve them. I just whack them off and tack them up to my cork board. The bone inside does get stiff after it's dried out, but that's no big deal. I don't quite understand your last question though- what do you mean "sun the last thread band?"
@@SavageFlies sorry I meant dub the the last thread band.
That's a sassy looking hopper... Been wanting to ask this for a while, why do you always pinch down the barb on the hooks? Is it required by your state or personal choice? I'm sure its easier on the fish that way, just wondering...
Thanks Randy! Barbless hooks are not required in any states where I usually fish (MD, VA, NC and PA). It's just personal preference to either use barbless or pinch the barbs. I do pretty much fish all catch-and-release waters, and it breaks my heart if I ever catch a fish and maybe hooked it too deep where it takes a lot of work to get the hook out. You really decrease the odds of that fish surviving. And often times with barbless hooks, I never even have to touch the fish with my hands. Once in the net, I give the line a little slack and the hook comes right out. One other point- I used to think that I would lose more fish after hooking up if I didn't have a barbed hook, but I've not found that to be the case at all. And if I do lose a few fish because I'm using a barbless hook, oh well. I think it's still worth it.
I tied a few of these up today. They turned out pretty good but when I did the bowl of water test, they did NOT float. Any ideas? Did I wrap the foam too tight or does this fly require floatant?
Good question! Probably both. I can't remember the last time I fished this but I probably did use floatant and I'm sure it still sat pretty low in the surface film. But that's mostly okay. Even if it sits low, or sinks just a bit, it's still bright enough that you'll most likely be able to tell where it is in the water.
I would call that a Shushun Postmaster. 🤷🏻♂️
You got it Jason! Named after Al Prindle, the postmaster of Shushan, NY many years ago. :-)