Fly Fisherman's 2023 HopperCast

EDITOR'S NOTE:  The Fly Fisherman HopperCast grasshopper forecast will be an annual project that aims to give fly anglers an idea of what to expect at one of the most exciting times of the year. Be sure to check back next summer for 2024's projection!

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2023 Western United States Hopper Forecast

According to the Rocky Mountain Grasshopper Forecast (a collaborative effort between the USDA Forest Service, the University of Wyoming, and the Colorado State University Extension Office), there is a moderate risk of a grasshopper outbreak in the Rocky Mountain West in 2023.

The Western Ag Network’s crystal ball foretells that another “good” (which is of course “bad” and “destructive” for farmers and ranchers) hopper-fishing year is in store for Montana.

"It still looks like we have a pretty significant amount of grasshoppers throughout Montana," said Gary Adams, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) State Plant Health Director for Montana. "It kind of moves around where they're bad. A few years ago, they were in different places and some places it's the same. I would say that there is a significant potential for there to be continued grasshopper populations in 2023."

In Idaho, the state Department of Agriculture has seen requests for assistance for grasshopper and Mormon cricket control from farmers and ranchers increase by 62 percent from 2022, according to an Idaho Falls Local News 8 article. This largely applies to the arid Snake River basin and dry areas along the Montana border.

Certain sections of the high-desert regions of eastern Oregon and Washington can also likely expect productive hopper fishing.

This past March, the Wyoming Livestock Roundup stated, “…USDA APHIS indicates there will be about five or six small areas with high densities of grasshoppers they’ll focus on this spring. This includes Uinta, Sublette, Carbon, Converse, Natrona and Johnson counties.” Check out the Upper Green and North Platte River drainages for productive fishing.

In Utah’s trout country, experts are predicting a normal but delayed hopper season due to the area’s cool spring.

The Denver Gazette’s OutThere Colorado publication, however, has predicted a relatively quiet hopper season for much of the Centennial State. The Rangeland Grasshopper Hazard Survey for 2023 has concluded that: “The risk for grasshopper outbreaks will be low for much of Colorado this summer, save some regions of Routt County where the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has forecasted 15-plus grasshoppers to be present per square yard of outdoor space.”

Routt County includes the Yampa River watershed.

California’s Sacramento region remains stuck in drought, which means there could be plenty of hopper opportunities in trout and bass fisheries there. The Tahoe area might not be poised for as much of a banner year with its big winter.

The American West is looking to continue its trend of above-average hopper-fishing seasons.

2023 Western Canada Hopper Forecast

Canada’s Prairie Pest Monitoring Network hasn’t put a ton of emphasis on the risk of grasshoppers for 2023. In areas of Alberta and Saskatchewan, however, there is hope for a good year.

“After evaluating 14 years of grasshopper data, a trend has emerged that one species (Melanoplus bruneri, Bruner’s spur-throat grasshopper) in the Peace and northern crop-production areas seems to have a two-year lifecycle,” according to the webpage. “On the Alberta side of the Peace, a pattern of odd years with grasshopper numbers that can cause crop loss issues, while in the even years the numbers are low. If the pattern holds true, then Bruner’s grasshopper could be an issue in the Peace and the northern crop production areas in 2023.”

Regarding southern Alberta: “There is potential for outbreaks in the southern region and along the eastern border region in 2023.” Forecasting maps created by government agency Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada suggest that the Old Man and Bow rivers are also poised for an exciting August and September for fly anglers.

Parts of Saskatchewan could also see hoppers: “The long, dry, warm late summer and fall (of 2022) in many parts of the province meant good conditions for grasshopper egg laying,” according to Saskatchewan.ca. “This means that we anticipate continued pressure from grasshoppers in many regions in 2023.” Try the South Saskatchewan River tailwater or Lake Diefenbaker for consistent hopper fishing this year.

2023 Worldwide Hopper Forecast

While it’s a bit early to know for sure, it looks as though New Zealand is poised to deliver good terrestrial fishing in the spring of 2024. The country's well-preserved habitats, coupled with favorable weather conditions, promise bountiful hopper populations and big fish.

Drought conditions have improved in South America in 2023, so spring 2024’s hopper fishing might not be as good as it’s been for the past few years. There are not formal pest forecasting services in this area.

European countries like England, Ireland, and Scotland, can offer excellent hopper fishing opportunities and have witnessed a resurgence in hopper fishing interest in recent years. Conservation efforts aimed at preserving grasslands and favorable weather conditions indicate a rise in hopper populations.

This upcoming hopper season holds promise for fishermen seeking to embrace some of the most exciting fishing of the year. Go fish, but plan on short days and keep your thermometer wet. Before you know it, it’ll be streamer time.

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Joshua Bergan is Fly Fisherman’s digital editor and lives in southwest Montana.

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