If you could only carry one nymph for the rest of your fly fishing life, the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear would be a strong contender. This shaggy, impressionistic pattern has been fooling trout since the 19th century, and its ability to imitate a staggering range of aquatic insects makes it one of the most versatile flies ever tied. From mayfly nymphs to caddis larvae to stonefly nymphs, the Hare's Ear imitates them all.
What Makes the Hare's Ear So Effective?
The Hare's Ear's effectiveness comes from its impressionistic design. Unlike precise imitations that try to replicate a specific insect exactly, the Hare's Ear uses the natural texture and color of hare's ear dubbing to create a general impression of a living creature. The spiky, irregular fibers of hare's ear dubbing trap air bubbles and move subtly in the current, creating a lifelike appearance that trout find irresistible.
The gold ribbing adds segmentation and flash, imitating the natural segmentation of aquatic insect bodies and catching the light in a way that attracts fish from a distance.
Classic vs. Modern Hare's Ear
The classic Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear is tied on a standard nymph hook with a gold bead head, hare's ear dubbing body, gold wire ribbing, and a wing case of pheasant tail fibers. Modern versions are tied on jigged hooks with slotted tungsten beads for faster sink rates and better hook-up ratios.
The UV Squirrel-dubbed Hare's Ear is a contemporary variation that substitutes UV squirrel dubbing for traditional hare's ear, adding a subtle UV glow that can trigger strikes in low-light conditions and deep water. This variation is particularly effective in tailwaters and spring creeks where trout are highly selective.
Sizes and When to Use Them
- Size 10: A large, searching nymph that works well in fast, deep water. Imitates large stonefly nymphs and big mayfly nymphs like the Hex. Fish it in big western rivers during stonefly season.
- Size 12: The most versatile size. Works in virtually any river and imitates a wide range of insects. A go-to searching nymph for any conditions.
- Size 14: A medium-sized option that works well during mayfly hatches. Particularly effective during Hendrickson, March Brown, and sulphur hatches.
- Size 16–18: A small, selective option for clear water and pressured fish. Works well during Blue Wing Olive and PMD hatches.
How to Fish the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear
As a Searching Nymph
The Hare's Ear is one of the best searching nymphs available — a fly you fish when you don't know exactly what the trout are eating. Cast it upstream and dead-drift it along the bottom, covering as much water as possible. The fly's impressionistic design means it will imitate whatever the trout are looking for.
During Hatches
The Hare's Ear is particularly effective during mayfly hatches, when it imitates the nymph stage of the hatch. Fish it in the water column just below the surface during the hatch, imitating a nymph rising to emerge. A slight upstream mend will keep the fly drifting naturally.
In a Tandem Rig
Pair a size 12 Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear with a smaller, more specific pattern like a size 16 Zebra Midge or Perdigon for a deadly tandem rig. The Hare's Ear acts as the attractor fly while the smaller pattern provides a more precise imitation.
The Hare's Ear as a Dry Fly
The Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear can also be fished as an emerger in the surface film. Apply floatant to the thorax and wing case only, leaving the abdomen to hang below the surface. This imitates a mayfly nymph in the process of emerging — one of the most vulnerable and sought-after stages for feeding trout.
Final Thoughts
The Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear is a fly that every trout angler should carry in multiple sizes — start with our Size 10 Classic Gold Ribbed Hares Ears. Its versatility, effectiveness, and timeless design make it one of the most reliable patterns in the box. Whether you're fishing it as a searching nymph, a hatch-matcher, or an emerger, the Hare's Ear will consistently produce fish in virtually any trout stream in the world. Rep the pattern with a Gold Ribbed Hares Ear sticker or Hare's Ear trucker hat.