Hopper Dropper and Dry Dropper – Two Flies, Double the Chance

If you can't decide between a dry fly and a nymph, the Dry-Dropper-Rig offers one of the most versatile tactics for trout fly fishing.

This involves presenting a nymph under a floating dry fly. If a larger grasshopper or beetle imitation is used as the top fly, it is often referred to as the Hopper-Dropper-Rig.

The dry fly acts not only as bait but also as a natural strike indicator for the nymph drifting below it.

When is a Dry-Dropper-Rig useful?

The dry-dropper-rig is always a strong choice when it's not clear whether fish are feeding on the surface or underwater.

It is excellent for scouting unknown stretches of water and allows you to fish two different water layers simultaneously.

The tactic is particularly effective:

• in shallow to medium-depth rivers and streams,
• in riffles, current seams, and pocket water,
• with sporadic surface activity,
• in low or clear water,
• under overhanging trees and along overgrown banks,
• during the beetle and grasshopper season.

The hopper-dropper variant particularly shines in summer and late summer. At this time, grasshoppers, beetles, and other terrestrial insects regularly fall into the water and become an important food source for trout.

The advantages of the Dry-Dropper tactic

The biggest advantage lies in combining two presentation levels.

While the dry fly drifts visibly on the surface, the nymph fishes below it in a deeper water layer. This allows you to quickly find out where and what the fish are reacting to.

The advantages at a glance:

• Two water layers are fished simultaneously.
• Both dry fly and nymph can be taken.
• The dry fly serves as a natural strike indicator.
• The rig appears more subtle than an additional plastic indicator.
• The depth of the nymph can be easily adjusted.
• Unknown water areas can be efficiently searched.
• The preferred feeding behavior of the fish quickly becomes apparent.

If the dry fly suddenly stops, moves sideways, or dips, you should strike immediately. Even a very small change in drift can indicate a bite on the nymph.

How to set up the rig

First, a well-floating and as visible as possible dry fly is tied to the leader.

Then, an additional piece of tippet is attached either to the hook bend or the eye of the dry fly. The nymph is then tied to the end of this tippet.

A distance of about 40 to 80 centimeters between the dry fly and the nymph has proven to be a good starting point. However, the actual length depends on water depth, current, and the location of the fish.

For a classic dry-dropper rig, suitable flies include:

• Parachute Adams,
• Klinkhamer,
• Elk Hair Caddis,
• Stimulators

As droppers, you can use, among others:

• Pheasant Tail,
• Hare’s Ear,
• Perdigons,
• small caddis nymphs.

For the hopper-dropper rig, particularly buoyant foam patterns are often used. Chubby Chernobyls, larger hoppers, or beetle imitations reliably carry even heavier tungsten nymphs.

The right balance between dry fly and nymph

The dry fly and nymph must be matched to each other.

The heavier the nymph, the larger and more buoyant the upper fly should be. If the dry fly is constantly pulled underwater by the weight of the nymph, the rig is not optimally balanced.

In this case, it helps to:

• choose a lighter nymph,
• use a larger dry fly,
• apply floatant,
• adjust the distance between the flies.

Especially when hopper-dropper fishing, a robust and highly buoyant foam fly is often the best choice.

The right rod for Hopper Dropper

For this tactic, the rod should have enough power to control a larger dry fly, an additional nymph, and possibly more leader material.

At the same time, it should offer enough feel for a clean presentation and controlled mending.

Particularly suitable, for example, are the Winston AIR 2 fly rods from line class 5.

The models in:

• 8’6” #5
• 9’0” #5

offer a very good combination of presentation, line control, and power.

The 8’6” variant is particularly suitable for smaller to medium rivers, overgrown banks, and situations where a compact, precise presentation is required.

The 9’0” version offers a little more reach and line control. It particularly excels in mending, in larger rivers, and when fishing at medium distances.

Both rods have enough backbone to cast larger hoppers, dry-dropper combinations, or even smaller streamers cleanly, without having to compromise on the fine Winston-typical presentation.

The right fly line

In addition to the rod, the choice of fly line also determines how controlled a dry-dropper or hopper-dropper rig can be cast.

Our recommendation for the Winston AIR 2 in line class 5 is the Scientific Anglers MPX WF5F.

The MPX is designed to be half a line class heavier and has more mass in the front of the head. This reliably loads modern fly rods even at short to medium distances and transports larger hoppers, bushy dry flies, and weighted nymphs to the target with control.

Despite its extra power, the presentation remains pleasantly balanced. This combination makes the MPX an ideal all-round line for dry-dropper fishing:

• quick loading of the rod,
• very good control at short and medium distances,
• reliable straightening of longer leaders,
• enough power for larger dry flies and weighted nymphs,
• good line control for mending,
• still enough feel for a clean presentation.

The Winston AIR 2 8’6” #5 together with the Scientific Anglers MPX forms a particularly precise and compact combination for smaller to medium rivers, overgrown banks, and targeted fishing under overhanging branches.

On the Winston AIR 2 9’ #5, the MPX offers additional reach and excellent line control for fishing larger channels, current seams, and more distant pockets.

Since the MPX is already half a line class heavier, it should generally be chosen in the line class indicated on the rod. For a Winston AIR 2 #5, an MPX WF5F is therefore the appropriate choice.

What should you pay attention to when fishing?

Regularly adjust the depth

The nymph should be presented at the depth where the trout are feeding as much as possible.

In shallow riffles, a distance of 30 to 50 centimeters is often sufficient. In deeper pools or faster currents, a longer dropper tippet may be necessary.

Ensure a drag-free drift

Dry fly and nymph can be caught by different currents. This can quickly create unnatural drag.

Reach casts, controlled mends, and as little fly line on the water as possible help to achieve a natural drift.

Cast with control

Two flies increase the risk of tangles.

A wide, smooth casting loop and as few false casts as possible ensure a clean presentation. Especially in combination with heavier nymphs, the rig should not be accelerated too aggressively.

Observe the dry fly closely

Not every bite clearly pulls the dry fly underwater.

Even a short stop, a slight tremble, a sideways movement, or an unusual deceleration can indicate a nymph bite.

When in doubt: better to strike once too often.

Be sure to check the water regulations

Before using a dry-dropper or hopper-dropper rig, the respective water regulations should be checked carefully.

It is particularly important to know how many hooks or flies are allowed at the same time.

In some waters, two flies may be fished, while in others only a single fly or a single hook is permitted. In some cases, special regulations also apply to barbless hooks, barbed hooks, or certain sections of water.

Even if the dry-dropper rig is technically easy to set up, it cannot therefore be automatically used in every body of water.

Checking the fishing permit and the current water regulations is always part of the preparation.

Conclusion

The dry-dropper rig is one of the most versatile tactics in fly fishing.

It combines the excitement of dry fly fishing with the effectiveness of a nymph and allows two different water layers to be covered simultaneously.

The hopper-dropper variant is an excellent choice, especially in the warmer months. A highly visible grasshopper or beetle imitation can trigger aggressive surface strikes while presenting a nymph in the feeding zone below.

With a balanced combination of dry fly, nymph, leader, and suitable rod, an extremely effective search method is created.

Rods like the Winston AIR 2 in 8’6” or 9’0” from line class 5 offer exactly the right mix of power, control, and fine presentation for this.

Before the first cast, however, always remember to: check the water regulations and ensure that the number of flies and hooks used is permitted.

Now have fun fishing!