50 Shades Of Hare's Ear
You might be asking yourself, "Why 50 different hare's ear patterns?" I asked myself the question before this endeavor. Answering the question was easier than one might think...
Dry fly anglers have the Royal Coachman or the Adams, streamer anglers have the Black Ghost or Wooley Bugger, wet fly anglers (if they still exists) use patterns bright in color or imitate drowned insects, such as the Alder, Black Gnat, etc. But when it comes to nymphs the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear (GRHE) stands out as the most popular for seasoned and beginning anglers/tiers.
Add the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear to the list of patterns that has withstood time. As with most older patterns this extremely versatile nymph's history remains murky. It can be traced back to James Odgen in the 1880's, but there are some references that predate this time frame centuries ago with a strikingly similar pattern.
The versatility of GRHE, or hare's ear in general, is second to none. It doesn't imitate anything specific, but it is impressionistic of several aquatic insects. The buggy attribute of hare's ear adds tremendous appeal while the gold ribbing attracts and draws fish in. The pattern can be tied on numerous styles and sizes of hooks to simulate stonefly, dragon fly nymphs and scuds, mayfly and damsel nymphs to caddis, including cased caddis. Foundation colors in natural hare's ear, olive, black, tan and brown are top producers, but adding highlights, flashbacks, UV and beads (glass and metal) are just the beginning! You're truly limited in variations by your imagination.
When I tied via mail order I had 20-plus variations of the GRHE to offer. The number has grown over time. In this day and age with the numerous amounts of materials available I don't think it is going to be too hard to reach 50 variations. However, don't expect see to every pattern look like the common GRHE we are all accustom to seeing today (although I'll do my best). Behind this venture rests some creative ideas on different nymph patterns utilizing hare's ear from the mask and gold ribbing (when feasible) that I hope you find useful. If the pattern contains these two items I feel it falls in the spirit of a "hare's ear."
Now to answer the question of why... Being a retired Navy man I've decided the flies will be auctioned or donated to Project Healing Waters upon completion of the set. May I be bless with fish karma! Let the journey begin...
Add the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear to the list of patterns that has withstood time. As with most older patterns this extremely versatile nymph's history remains murky. It can be traced back to James Odgen in the 1880's, but there are some references that predate this time frame centuries ago with a strikingly similar pattern.
The versatility of GRHE, or hare's ear in general, is second to none. It doesn't imitate anything specific, but it is impressionistic of several aquatic insects. The buggy attribute of hare's ear adds tremendous appeal while the gold ribbing attracts and draws fish in. The pattern can be tied on numerous styles and sizes of hooks to simulate stonefly, dragon fly nymphs and scuds, mayfly and damsel nymphs to caddis, including cased caddis. Foundation colors in natural hare's ear, olive, black, tan and brown are top producers, but adding highlights, flashbacks, UV and beads (glass and metal) are just the beginning! You're truly limited in variations by your imagination.
When I tied via mail order I had 20-plus variations of the GRHE to offer. The number has grown over time. In this day and age with the numerous amounts of materials available I don't think it is going to be too hard to reach 50 variations. However, don't expect see to every pattern look like the common GRHE we are all accustom to seeing today (although I'll do my best). Behind this venture rests some creative ideas on different nymph patterns utilizing hare's ear from the mask and gold ribbing (when feasible) that I hope you find useful. If the pattern contains these two items I feel it falls in the spirit of a "hare's ear."
Now to answer the question of why... Being a retired Navy man I've decided the flies will be auctioned or donated to Project Healing Waters upon completion of the set. May I be bless with fish karma! Let the journey begin...
Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear
Hook: Hends BL554, Size 12
Weight; To Suit
Thread: UTC 70, Brown
Tail: Guard hairs from the forehead of the hare's mask
Ribbing: Lagartun, Small Oval, Gold
Body: Natural hare's ear taken from the ear.
Wingcase: Pheasant tail fibers, Natural
Thorax: Same as body. Picked out.
Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, Olive
Hook: Hends BL554, Size 12
Weight; To suit
Thread: UTC 70, Olive
Tail: Teal barred flank, dyed olive
Ribbing: Lagartun, small oval, gold
Body: Natural hare's ear taken from the ear.
Wingcase: Ozark Oak mottled turkey tail
Thorax: Same as body. Picked out.
Notes:
(1) Barred teal flank comes in a good selection of colors and makes wonderful tailing material for nymphs.
(2) Tiny olive GRHE's tied in sizes 16-20 are awesome tailwater nymphs!
Notes:
(1) Barred teal flank comes in a good selection of colors and makes wonderful tailing material for nymphs.
(2) Tiny olive GRHE's tied in sizes 16-20 are awesome tailwater nymphs!
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