Ed Shenk's all-black companion to his Letort Hopper, built for the same demanding limestone flats. Black fur body, black quill wing tied flat, black deer-hair head with trailing collar — no hackle, no flash. On late-summer spring creeks a cricket often out-fishes the hopper it shadows.
1. Thread base — Attach black thread behind the eye and build a base to the bend.
2. Body — Dub a full black body from the bend to the 2/3 point.
3. Wing — Tie in a rounded section of black-dyed turkey quill FLAT over the body, extending to the bend. A drop of flexible cement first keeps it intact.
4. Head & collar — Spin a clump of black deer hair just behind the eye. Clip to a squared head, flat on the bottom, leaving tips sweeping back over the wing as a collar.
5. Finish — Whip finish in front of the head and cement.
hook
thread
body
wing
head
