Tying the Shake & Bake Hopper // A Talladega Legend

Tie the Shake & Bake Hopper

When the hoppers are out and the banks are hot, this buggy bite-getter gets it done. Designed by Red's own Ricky Bobbers (yes, that’s Ricky Bobby approved), the Shake & Bake Hopper combines movement, floatation, and fishy attitude in one fast, high-performance pattern. Best part - this hybrid pattern serves as a terrestrial in the summer and a killer stonefly dry during skwalas!

Materials Needed:

To tie the Shake & Bake Hopper, you'll need the following:

• Hook: Size 8–10 dry fly hook (we used Tiemco’s TMC200R in #8 for its curved profile and strength)

• Thread: 140 denier (we like shell pink for the hopper version—it adds a subtle pop)

• Body: Wraps with Veevus Mini Flat Braid in Peach Pearl before 2mm High Rise Foam from MFC in peach for the base, cinnamon for the over-body, and pink for the wing pad

• Wing: Widow’s Web from MFC for float

• Legs: Crazy Legs in Shrimp Pink by Hareline for that irresistible wiggle

• Adhesive: Super Glue or Loctite Brush-On to lock things in place

• Optional: A Sharpie for adding hopper dots and trimming the foam butt to a clean taper

🌀 Want to see it in action? Watch the video above and follow along as we break down each step of the tie.

Grab the Kit or Build Your Own

You can purchase a Shake & Bake Hopper Kit for a one-and-done grab-all, or shop our store for individual materials if you're already stocked on a few essentials. Either way, we’ve got you covered.

🎣 [Shop the Kit]
🧵 [Shop Fly Tying Materials]

Meet Our Tying Team:

KynsLee Scott leads our steelhead and fly tying operations, in addition to working in river conservation. A Montana native and longtime guide across the Pacific Northwest, KynsLee has done just about everything in the fly fishing world—from rowing boats and designing flies to developing fly shops and hosting one of the largest women’s fly fishing event in the country. She's an Elite G. Loomis Ambassador, Simms Ambassador, Umpqua Ambassador, and Scientific Anglers Pro. Whether she’s behind the vise or out on the water, KynsLee brings passion and a deep commitment to the craft and conservation of fly fishing.