Why the Hare’s Ear Still Reigns Supreme

If there’s one fly that’s earned its place in every trout angler’s box, it’s the Hare’s Ear nymph. It’s a generalist pattern that imitates a wide range of aquatic insects—and that’s exactly what makes it so deadly.

Several years ago, Bryce and I spent a full week on Colorado’s South Platte River with a Hare’s Ear on our rigs the entire time. Whether we ran it deep as an anchor or higher in the water column, it consistently produced fish. Sometimes it was even the first clue that the bite was about to turn on.

That’s the magic of the Hare’s Ear:
It doesn’t imitate anything specific—yet it resembles everything.

A Buggy Upgrade: Galloup’s Hare’s Ear

Roughly 8–9 years ago, I stumbled across a post detailing Kelly Galloup’s original take on the Hare’s Ear, and it completely changed how I tie this pattern.

What makes it different?

Dubbing-looped abdomen and thorax: Gives the fly a pulsing, lifelike motion underwater.
Flash ribbing: Adds subtle attraction for pressured or off-color water.
Peacock herl wing case: Provides contrast and a natural sheen fish key in on.

Kelly Galloup hand-blends his dubbing mix from a natural hare’s mask and hare’s ear, but I opt for a high-quality pre-mixed blend. Just make sure the mix includes guard hairs—they add critical texture and movement.

Materials:

Hook - Standard Nymph Hook

Thread - Brown or Tan Veevus 16/0

Tail - Coq De Leon (Light Pardo)

Ribbing - Subtle flash (here sulky holoshimmer) or gold wire

Abdomen - Hare’s mask dubbing in loop (pre blended or custom mixed)

Thorax - Same as body

Wing Case - Natural peacock hurl

Optional - Hungarian partridge tied in as wings

Pro Tip: If you’re doing a replenishment session, it’s okay to skip the partridge—this fly works just as well without it. But for a presentation upgrade, it adds a nice touch.

Variations and Local Tweaks

One of the biggest advantages of this pattern is its adaptability. You can easily shift the tone to match local water conditions:

Olive or brown dubbing for mayfly-heavy rivers
Gold or amber tones in off-colored or tannic waters
Add a bead if you need faster sink rates for Euro setups

This fly is an excellent choice if you're looking for a guide-style nymph: quick to tie, easy to customize, and built for all-day performance.

Final Thoughts

Galloup’s Hare’s Ear takes the legendary effectiveness of the traditional Hare’s Ear and turns it into a modern, movement-rich nymph that performs in all water types, all seasons, and all setups. Whether you’re tightlining, swinging, or floating under an indicator, this fly gets it done.

Add a few to your box in sizes 12 to 18—you won’t regret it.