fish not getting hooked

[nOObmaster]

i was fishing today, with a hopper dropper rig. i lost more fish today than i caught, i watched them attack the hopper and never take it or get hooked. couple of times i tried pull the line in to see if they got hooked, but nothing. whats happening and what am i doing wrong?

 

[Nymph-wristed]

If you were using an actual hopper, I would say downsizing to a smaller dry fly like a high floating Adams, smaller stimulator, or a elk hair caddis might have solved the problem.

Even if you continued using the dropper below, you'd be surprised how much weight a traditional dry fly can suspend

 

[DaveKile]

If you were using an actual hopper, I would say downsizing to a smaller dry fly like a high floating Adams, smaller stimulator, or a elk hair caddis might have solved the problem.

Even if you continued using the dropper below, you'd be surprised how much weight a traditional dry fly can suspend

Agree

 

[a23fish]

i was fishing today, with a hopper dropper rig. i lost more fish today than i caught, i watched them attack the hopper and never take it or get hooked. couple of times i tried pull the line in to see if they got hooked, but nothing. whats happening and what am i doing wrong?

You may not be doing anything wrong. I've often fished a hopper/dropper rig, usually with a Chubby Chernobyl style "hopper" in a couple different sizes with various nymphs underneath. I hardly ever have fish hit the CC/hopper, they heavily favor the nymph below. I think in the last few years I've had one fish hooked on the hopper and a handful more hit it.

I'm terrible fishing dry flies - hard for me to see, poor drift control, etc. - and usually miss about 3/4 of the fish that do hit my dry. When they're not hitting stuff all around it but ignoring my offering. And I enjoy fishing indicator/hopper/dropper and streamer rigs.

 

[ryansheehan]

i was fishing today, with a hopper dropper rig. i lost more fish today than i caught, i watched them attack the hopper and never take it or get hooked. couple of times i tried pull the line in to see if they got hooked, but nothing. whats happening and what am i doing wrong?

This happens alot with hoppers, especially bigger ones. They are alot of fun to fish, the takes are awesome but the hookup rates are lower than smaller flies.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Guys are probably right about it just being normal, but make sure your hookpoint isn't rolled. I keep a hook file in my vest and if you make it a point to check your hooks you would be suprised how often the points are rolled or dull.