The Hare’s Ear Nymph is certainly among the top five most common patterns for trout fishermen, as its buggy generalist look imitates all manner of aquatic insects. But the pattern tied in this video is not your father’s Hare’s Ear.
Instead, this tricked-out version adds all kinds of fish-attracting bells and whistles, such as a shiny wingcase, a large hackle, and a gaudy orange hot spot. Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions walks you through each tying step, explaining both why he chooses each material and the best way to tie it in.
Along the way, you’ll learn a few facts and tricks that will help when you go to tie other patterns, as well. I particularly dig the way Tim uses the hanging thread to keep the strands of peacock herl from separating as he wraps them. Leaving the tiny triangle at the top of the hackle feather is a useful trick, as well. The man’s got skillz, and I learn something in almost every one of his videos.
Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear Nymph
Hook: 2X-long nymph hook (here a Dai-Riki #730), size 10-16.
Bead: Gold, 7/64-inch.
Weight: Lead-free wire, .015.
Adhesive 1: Zap-A-Gap.
Thread: Fluorescent fire orange, 8/0 or 70 denier.
Tail: Hare’s mask.
Rib: Gold Ultra Wire, brassie size.
Abdomen: Light natural hare’s mask dubbing.
Wingcase: Pearlescent Flashabou.
Thorax: Peacock herl.
Hackle: Hungarian partridge.
Hot spot: Tying thread.
Adhesive 2: Head cement.
Thanks for posting this. Looks like a great fly.
Great fly…This is my go to fly
It always seems to find something interested in eating.
Pulled out some huge brown trout in muddy high water during spring melt too.
Great looking fly.
Nice tie but yoy might confuse folks because your calling the abdomen the thorax, and the thorax the abdomen. Normal recipe progress tail forward. Tail, abdomen, thorax, head ect..
This pattern is more like a Possey Bugger than a Hares Ear.
Great fly either way.
The best narrator, on youtube. Can’t remmenber his name, but it’s a Ovis video. He’s excellent in tying video’s and explain ing th Je whip finish tool.
Tim Flagler