I've been tying and fishing Hare's Ear Nymphs since I was just a wee little upstart in the world of fly fishing. They worked wonders then and they continue to excel at catching fish all over the west. They're simple and buggy and look like a lot of different things that trout eat. I can't remember where I first stumbled across the Hot Ribbed Hare's Ear but I've found it to be a solid producer on our Northwest rivers, especially during the summer and it's since edged out the original Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear in my box. With it's CDC hackle collar, peacock thorax and glo-brite thread rib, this fly subtly pops in the water but maintains a very natural and buggy appearance.
You can fish it beneath an indicator or as a dropper on a big buoyant dry fly. I really like to fish the Hot Ribbed Hare's Ear using tight line nymphing tactics euro style. Let it drift naturally and then come tight and swing upwards in the water column at the end of your presentation. This approach works like gangbusters when you have a lot of caddis hatching and the fish are keyed in on emerging caddis pupae. Tie up a few and give them a try this summer. You'll be amazed at the results!
Hot Ribbed Hare's Ear Recipe:
Hook: #12 Hanak 400BL
Bead: 3.5mm Gold Slotted Tungsten
Thread: 70 Denier Red Ultra Thread
Tail: Medium Pardo CDL
Rib: Fl Orange Glo Brite Floss
Body: Hare's Ear Dubbing
Hackle: Natural Dun CDC
Collar: Peacock Ice Dub
Confluence Beer Pairing: As I replenish the decimated euro box with another couple dozen Hot Ribbed Hare's Ears, Iam sipping Pfriem Pilsner and listening the the Smartless Podcast or sometimes the Wet Fly Swing. It's a winning combo and if you've yet to experience the marvelous canned refreshments coming out of Pfriem Family Brewing in Hood River, Oregon, it's high time you get with the program. You're missing out!