If you’ve followed my blog or watched my YouTube channel, you know how much I value confidence flies. These are the patterns I reach for when I need a fly I can rely on—something that’s proven itself time and time again. In my last blog post, we dove into the concept of confidence flies and their deeply personal nature. Today, we’re tying one of my all-time “old reliable” patterns: the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear.
The Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear has been a staple in my box for years. While I don’t have a single story tied to it like many other patterns, its track record speaks for itself. It’s a fantastic searching pattern—one I often tie on at the start of a day when I’m trying to figure out what the fish are feeding on. Like a Walt’s Worm in its versatility, the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear brings even more to the table with subtle flashes of color, a touch of movement, and a profile that trout find appealing.
Why the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear Works
The Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear combines the simplicity of traditional nymph patterns with just enough added features to trigger strikes in various conditions. Here are some of the key characteristics that make it so effective:
- Subtle Flash: The copper ribbing and tinsel wing case provide a bit of shine without being overpowering. This subtle flash catches a trout’s eye, especially in clearer water.
- Contrast: The peacock herl thorax contrasts beautifully with the Hare’s Ear dubbing, giving the fly a lifelike, segmented look mimicking many aquatic insects.
- Movement: The partridge collar animates the fly in the water, imitating the movement of emerging insects. It’s one of those features that can make a huge difference when fish are hesitant to commit.
- Hot Spot: The red thread at the head creates a subtle trigger point, drawing attention to the fly in heavier water or lower visibility conditions.
It’s a sturdy fly that holds up well in fast currents and gives me the confidence to fish it in almost any situation. If you’ve read about my approach to confidence flies, you’ll know that this reliability is what earns a fly a permanent spot in my rotation.
Why The Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear Belongs in Your Box
The Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear isn’t just another nymph pattern—it’s a staple, a workhorse that every angler should consider carrying. Its versatility is unmatched, excelling in diverse water conditions, from fast riffles to gentle runs and deep pools. What sets this fly apart is its blend of classic design with modern functionality, featuring a bead head and soft hackle collar that create lifelike movement and flash. These features make it effective at imitating a variety of aquatic insects, including mayfly nymphs and caddis pupae, ensuring it triggers strikes even from selective trout.
But this pattern isn’t just about versatility—it’s about reliability. Over the years, the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear has consistently delivered results for me in challenging conditions. I’ve landed trout in everything from high, off-color runoff to crystal-clear winter tail waters. Its durability also sets it apart; tied with sturdy materials, this fly holds up through multiple catches, saving time and effort on the water.
Confidence flies, as I’ve discussed before, are deeply personal. They earn their place in your box through experience and success, becoming trusted allies in the most trying situations. For me, the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear has done precisely that. It’s a pattern I turn to when other flies fail to produce, and it’s saved countless days on the water. If you’re looking for a nymph you can trust no matter where or when you fish, this one belongs in your box.
Tying the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear
Materials & Tools
Here’s what you’ll need to tie the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear:
- Hook: Size 14 Hanak Jig Hook
- Bead: 3.2 mm Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Bead in Light Metallic Pink
- Thread: UTC 70 in Red
- Tail: Partridge Feather Fibers
- Ribbing: Brassie Size Copper Wire
- Body: Nature’s Spirit Snowshoe Rabbit Hare’s Ear Dubbing: (Or similar brand)
- Thorax: Peacock Herl
- Wing Case: Flat Tinsel
- Collar: Partridge Feather Fibers
- Head: Red Thread Hot Spot Coated in UV Resin
As always, don’t feel like you need to use these exact materials. Part of the fun of tying is improvising with what you already have on hand. Substitutions can often lead to exciting variations that still catch fish.
Video Tutorial
Want to see exactly how to tie the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear? Watch the full step-by-step tutorial on my YouTube channel! The video breaks down each step in detail, so you can follow along and tie this versatile confidence fly for your own box.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t already, check out the YouTube video accompanying this post to see the tying process in action. And while you’re there, don’t forget to comment, like, and subscribe to the TroutStrike channel for more fly-tying tutorials and tips. Whether you’re new to tying or a seasoned pro, I hope this pattern earns its place in your box and becomes one of your confidence flies, too.
Spend more time on the water!
Have a great day!
Jeff Smecker
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