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Hare's Ear Nymph

Hare's Ear Nymph

Materials

Tying steps

  1. Slide bead onto hook and mount in vise. Start thread behind the bead and wrap a smooth base to the bend.
  2. Tie in 8–10 guard hairs from a hare mask for the tail; length equal to the hook shank.
  3. Tie in fine copper or gold wire at the bend for the rib.
  4. Dub a rough, spiky rope of hare ear dubbing. Apply loosely to leave fibers projecting outward. Wrap forward from the bend to the 60% point.
  5. Counter-wind the wire rib forward in 5 even turns over the abdomen. Tie off, twist to break.
  6. Tie in a section of pheasant tail fibers or dark turkey quill at the 60% point, extending toward the eye, for the wing case.
  7. Dub a fuller, rougher thorax of hare ear from the 60% point to just behind the bead or eye, leaving it deliberately shaggy.
  8. Pull the wing case material straight over the top of the thorax and tie down firmly. Trim excess.
  9. Use a dubbing needle to pick out fibers along both sides of the thorax, simulating legs.
  10. Build a small thread head or finish directly behind the bead. Whip finish and apply a drop of UV resin or head cement.

Notes

The most broadly versatile subsurface fly for trout. The hare ear dubbing creates a naturally buggy silhouette that imitates mayfly nymphs, caddis larvae, and scuds simultaneously. Fish it with a tungsten bead in fast water and pocket water; fish the unweighted version in slow pools and spring creeks where a lighter presentation drops more naturally.

Where this fly works