I wanted a pattern that I could call my own; I didn’t want to copy something already out there.
Second, it had to look nice. I wanted to create a pattern that was simple and attractive, a reflection of my tying style.
Third, it had to float well and be able to hold up a nice chunk of iron and tungsten.
Fourth, it had to be high-viz for my clients that have trouble seeing a small duck on the water.
Lastly, it had to catch fish and be durable enough to catch a bunch of them. I often fish a hopper dropper most of the year on a variety of different water. The Hopper Juan can be tied in orange, to reflect the bigger salmon flies or used in tan/brown for golden stones”
- Juan Ramirez