Hopper / Dropper Master Class with CRO Guide Brian Hilbert

Late summer on the Colorado River means one thing: hopper season. When the banks are buzzing and trout are looking up, few rigs can rival the sheer versatility and fish-catching power of the hopper dropper. And no one understands this system better than Colorado River Outfitters guide Brian Hilbert.

With decades of experience and a deep knowledge of trout behavior, Brian has turned the hopper/dropper into a high art form. Whether you’re targeting opportunistic browns in the shallows or feeding fish in the riffles, his approach blends science, instinct, and a little bit of mad-scientist creativity to produce serious results.

Why the Hopper Dropper?

At its core, the hopper dropper is about covering two feeding zones at once: the surface and the water column below. The hopper rides high and visible, serving both as a strike indicator and a legitimate surface meal, while the dropper imitates aquatic insects or other prey drifting underneath.

But Brian doesn’t just tie on any hopper and call it good. His system is deliberate, based on a deep understanding of insect activity, water conditions, and trout behavior.

Brian’s Go-To Hopper Patterns

1. Yeti Hopper - Size 10-8

(Montana Fly Company)

This foam-bodied, realistic hopper floats like a cork, even with a heavy dropper. It's silhouette and subtle leg movement make it deadly in all water situations, even in slower runs where trout have time to inspect their food. Brian leans on the Yeti when fishing clearer water or pressured fish. They eat it with confidence.

“The Yeti Hopper features a furry foam belly which allows the hopper to ride low in the water, just like a real hopper. When trout get shy after seeing 100’s of chubbys all summer, this rarely gets refused. ”

2. Trigger Belly Hopper - Size 10-8

(Montana Fly Company)

When you need a hopper that’s a little easier to see or you need to fish a little heavier dropper, the Trigger Belly Hopper is Brian’s go-to. This fly features a large fluffy white wing that makes it easier for anglers to track and detect dropper strikes.

“Fellow CRO Guide Matt Weldon turned me on to this pattern and it’s earned a permanent spot in my box. When Matt Weldon tells me to use a fly, I listen.”

Brian’s Favorite Droppers

1. Duracell Jig size 18-16

Few flies are as consistently effective as the Duracell. Its buggy profile and UV sparkle make it irresistible in slightly off-colored water. Brian uses it to cover mid-column feeders—especially in riffles or deeper buckets.

“It gets down quick, stays in the zone, and flat-out produces,” says Brian.

2. Utah Killer Bug - Size 14

A nod to simplicity, this fly imitates a wide range of subsurface morsels—scuds, sow bugs, caddis larvae. On pressured water, Brian often swaps this in for flashier patterns.

“Sometimes it’s the subtle flies that make all the difference when trout are pressured,” he says.

3. Drowned Ant - Size 18-20

When ants are on the menu (and trust us, they are more often than you think), this little guy can be a game changer. It shines during warm afternoons when trout refuse traditional subsurface patterns.

“Trout recognize ants immediately, they just love to eat them. It’s like ringing a dinner bell,” Brian laughs.

4. Unweighted Zirdle Bug - Size 6-8

   Brian’s Secret Weapon

Perhaps Brian’s most unconventional – and most deadly – dropper is an unweighted zirdle bug, fished to imitate molting crawfish in the shallows.

“When crawfish molt, they’re soft, slow, and super vulnerable,” Brian explains. “Trout move into the skinny water just to pick them off. The beauty of fishing it unweighted is you can still fish the super shallow 6”-8” depth with your hopper without smashing the dropper. This setup is DEADLY”

The unweighted Zirdle allows for a natural, fluttering sink, giving big fish a chance to see and track it in soft water or even over submerged rocks. Fish it along mud banks, tailouts, or inside seams, and be ready—it often gets crushed by larger, predatory browns.

Strategy: How, Where, and When

Where to Fish the Rig

• Bankside undercuts: Hoppers fall in naturally here, and trout know it.

• Grassy shorelines: Windy afternoons blow terrestrials into the drink.

• Riffles and transitions: The dropper dances perfectly in the chop.

• Shallow tailouts: Ideal for the unweighted Zirdle.

What Trout Are Looking For

Trout key in on movement, silhouette, and vulnerability. On the surface, they want a struggling hopper, not a static chunk of foam. Don’t be afraid to lightly twitch your hopper. Subsurface, they want something that mimics life and vulnerability—like a soft-shelled craw or tumbling nymph.

Hook Set Tips: Don’t Set Too Soon!

With hoppers, the most common mistake is setting prematurely—lifting the rod too fast. Instead, Brian recommends waiting for the fish to disappear for a full second before setting.

“Let the trout commit. Once the hopper disappears, give a quick, horizontal strip before raising the rod. You’ll land twice as many fish.”

When to Adjust

• No eats on the hopper? Downsize or try a lower-profile pattern like the Yeti Hopper.

• Snagging too much? Shorten your dropper tippet.

• Getting hopper refusals? (They look but don’t eat) Downsize or change colors.

• No love at all? Try fishing tighter to the bank.

Pro Tip From Brian:

“The difference between a 40 fish day on hoppers and a 20 fish day on hoppers is being 6 inches closer to the bank. The trout that are looking for hoppers and crawfish are tight tight tight to the bank. It will surprise you how skinny of water they will sit in.”

A beautiful Colorado River brown trout that fell for a hopper fished tight to the bank.

Ready to Master the Hopper Dropper?

There’s no better way to learn the nuances of hopper dropper fishing than with a CRO guide. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the game, a day on the water with Brian Hilbert or any of our expert guides will take your fly fishing to the next level.

You’ll learn not just what flies to use, but why—and how to fish them with confidence and creativity.

🎣 Book your hopper dropper trip today and experience the late summer magic of the Colorado River like never before.

👉 Follow us on Instagram for daily updates, river reports, and fishing tips: @colorado.river.outfitters

Tight lines,

The CRO Team