15
SETUP #2
Stand close to the river's edge, upstream of the drop-off, though not so close that you will give yourself away. Make short downstream and across casts allowing a bit of slack line to land on the water. Mend your line so that the hopper will be ahead of your line and be the first thing to drift over the drop-off. Move your way across the stream and continue to make shorts casts until you have covered the entire length of the drop-off. In moving your position, opposed to making longer casts, your ability to control your line and drift will remain simple. Shorter casts are always better than forcing a long one. Be in control of your line and be prepared for a take as it drifts over the edge.
Another great strategy during hopper season is to slowly walk the edges and search for trout that are keying in on hoppers. In slow moving water along grassy banks, trout will often cycle up the edges in search of errant hoppers. This can be the most engaging and rewarding strategy of all. Even if you don't connect, spotting and stalking big trout hunting for hoppers is a lot of fun!