2nd year hop problem ?

I am new to hop growing and only have a 2nd year cascade and a few I planted this year.
my ? problem is that on my second year cascade is growing great 16 ft tall or so but where ever there is a cone start or whatever its called in the bottom 7-8 ft of the plant has turned brown and is there dead or are going to fall off and have is I just pulled on them slightly the ones that are higher look like they might do this as well not sure

any ideas on what could be couseing this

Are the leaves dying too? Ive had this happen before from spider mite infestations.

BBL_Brewer said:

Are the leaves dying too? Ive had this happen before from spider mite infestations.

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no the leaves are not dying they are great