David Hoppe
Fly Designer
I started my fly-fishing journey fishing my local ponds in North Wales which is where my love for fishing was born.
I started competition fishing when I was around 20 where I became quickly addicted to match fishing, gaining numerous Welsh National and Commonwealth Caps. In 2011 I was lucky enough to win the prestigious Brown Bowl followed by becoming the World Bankmaster Champion. From here I joined the mighty Fly Shop Welsh Hawks where together we have won numerous matches including both the Spring and Autumn Airflo International Competitions.
My favourite fishing is buzzer fishing, either from the bank or a drifting boat. However, I also love fishing poppers over weed beds for those specimen lumps found in the midland reservoirs which is where I now live.
I work closely with Guide-Flyfishing which means I get to test all sorts of new and exciting gear from Sage, Vision and RIO Products and I am in also a RIO Product Ambassador.
I have been lucky enough to have been testing the Fly Shop flies since the company was born and have used the flies to great success landing some truly magnificent fish.
Achievements to date
- Numerous National and Commonwealth Caps for Wales
- International Fly Fishing Brown Bowl Winner – 2011 Grafham Water
- Anglian Water Airflo Individual Final & Runner up – 2013 Grafham Water
- Troutmasters Final Runner up (& previously 3rd, 4th & 5th) – 2015 – Grafham Water
- Anglers World Fly Fishing Championship Final 3rd – 2016 Chew Reservoir
- World Bankmasters Final Championship – 2016 Elinor Fishery
- Anglian Water Autumn Team Champions Welsh Hawks – 2018 & 2021 Rutland Water
- Scierra Pairs 3rd place – 2019 Grafham Water
- Anglian Water Airflo Spring Team Champions Welsh Hawks – 2022 Rutland Water
- Former Team member of the hugely successful Welsh Hawks Fly Fishing Team
