Video: Fly-Tying, Part 2—Hare’s Ear
OK, time to step it up a notch. Now that you have the caddis larvae pattern mastered, it’s time to give this famous nymph pattern a try.
While you can use a fly rod to chase just about any fish, trout are the most popular. A trout consumes more than 75 percent of its diet underwater—bugs, worms, and other morsels that make their home among the sand and rocks along a stream bottom. The Hare’s Ear nymph represents some of these food items and is a reliable pattern on many rivers from the Southeast to the Northwest.
Watch the video if you’re curious on how to tie this pattern, and feel free to post any questions below. It’s not an easy fly to tie, but with some practice I’m sure you guys can handle it. —Ben
So how are you guys doing with this fly? Do you think it’s a little tougher than the caddis pattern?
If you have any questions, let me know and I’ll try to help you out as much as possible. . .
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:57 amThis fly was much more difficult than the Caddis larvae pattern. I had trouble getting the rabbit’s hair to stay in place for the tail at first, but then I found a solution.
Also, the bit of feather kept breaking when i was trying to fold it over, is that supposed happen?
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 pmWhen tying in things like the tail, it sometimes easier to make one loose wrap around the material and the hook, then tighten things down as you go rather than trying to lock everyting in one turn of the thread. . . Don’t know if that helps you with that problem or not. . .
On the wingcase, sometimes the turkey feather fibers split apart from one another, but if you can keep them in a tight bunch as you fold them over, the fly works just as good. I think part of the problem is also the feathers themselves. The ones included with the kits are small and thin, unlike a big feather from a mature turkey (which are easier to work with).
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:20 pmAs for the tail, that was my solution. I also found that if you twist the part that the thread is going to be over, it keeps it in a tight bunch. I will try the wing tip when I get home.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:01 am