Grasshoppers are another source of sound that is often so loud it’s not heard. Sort of like the ringing in your ears; most people have it, we just ignore it until we think about it, and then it becomes so loud we have to make a conscious effort to hear other sounds. Grasshoppers make a constant clicking sound like the sound of a playing card held against the spoke of a bicycle; like the sound of a roulette wheel spinning to its final stop. Grasshoppers are also great for catching bluegill.
Both crickets and grasshoppers are also the ticket for trout this time of year and there are many patterns, some of which are great and some more suited for the “oops jar” (the “oops jar” is the ending up place for good intentions).
One of the best cricket and grasshopper patterns are the Letort Cricket and Hopper. Both are simple to tie, easy to fish, float well and catch trout. There are other patterns, and to be honest, almost anything with feathers on it will catch fish every now and then, but not deliberately or consistently.
Fishing the Letort Hopper is easy; just find a section of bank that has them jumping and landing in grass or weeds close to a bank where the wind can blow them onto the water’s surface and the rest is history as they say – though I don’t know who “they” are.
Hoppers and crickets are great to fish from a canoe. A canoe allows you to cover more water when searching than you can by wading. Cast the Letort into the bank and jerk it onto the water and wait. A small quick jerking motion will do the rest. Of course, the trick is not to get caught in the grass on the bank so a light drop cast is helpful.
During the hot midsummer months, when the crickets and hoppers are abundant, also try ant and bee patterns. In fact, the McGinty is a bee pattern that was one of the most popular patterns when catgut was the staple for leaders.
Try them all; old, new and your own creations. It’s all good on a hot midsummer’s day.