One of my favourite ways to fish grasshopper patterns in the fall is from a drift boat or raft. With grasshopper season soon to arrive I thought I would share a few tips. First of all always be looking and casting downstream, a 45 degree downstream angled cast will give you plenty of drift, and your partner in the back of the boat room to fish. Resist the urge to fish backwards, the water may look juicier back there but there will be more good water ahead, be prepared for it. Fishing backwards is one of the main causes of tangles and on top of that you’re fishing your partners’ water.
Fishing from a drift boat or raft is a fun way to fly fish grasshopper patterns.
With hoppers a dead drift is usually a good way to go as most have rubber legs that will be wiggling tantalizingly enough with just the current. If the water is calm and flat a little action with a twitch or won’t hurt, remember hoppers are trying to swim to safety and their powerful back legs make a lot of commotion. Always leave your imitation on the water as long as possible, remember the fish are in the water. Limit your false casts and you hook more fish and get less tangles. If you happen to miss your targeted line of drift or spot by all means pick it up and reposition it. Remember just like any other insect drifting downstream, hoppers will end up in current seams, foam lines and back eddies, so pay close attention to these areas. Drift boat fishing is a relaxing and fun way to fish a river and the explosive takes of a trout on a hopper pattern only adds to a wonderful experience.