What cutter set do we recommend to new tyers? The hopper/cadis Ant. It is amazingly versatile. With five cutters a new tyer can create 20 patterns or more. The trade off? Less realistic, but VERY fishable flies on a budget.
These straight-sided, round-ended bodies can be used for extended bodies on Hopper, Stonefly and caddis patterns, as well as bodies for Ant and other terrestrial patterns.
Many tyers use this shape as bodies for the new Chaos Hopper pattern.
Hopper/Caddis/Ant foam body cutters come in five sizes: 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16.
The Road Kill Hopper by Curtis Fry (Fly Fish Food)
used our Hopper Leg Cutters, Stonefly Wing Cutters and Hopper/Caddis/Ant Foam Body Cutters. Photo to follow.
Hopper/Caddis/Ant Cutters - Approximate Dimensions:
Hook Size |
Cutter Length |
Cutter Width |
8 |
1 1/4 in (32 mm) |
5/16 in (8 mm) |
10 |
1 1/8 in (29 mm) |
1/4 in (6 mm) |
12 |
7/8 in (22 mm) |
3/16 in (5 mm) |
14 |
13/16 in (20 mm) |
1/8 in (3 mm) |
16 |
3/4 in (19 mm) |
1/16 in (2 mm) |