Bead Head Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph by SwittersB. It was the go to nymph (well, coupled with the Pheasant Tail Nymph PTN) for a decade or more. There has been an explosion of creativity, innovation, experimentation at the vise the past decade. Has the Hare's Ear Nymph been lost from sight as a crawler/clinger nymph pattern? Whether the original tannish color or in green or black or brown, it is an excellent pattern.
it is the ESSENTIAL pattern. it looks like a bug, apparently lots of bugs. if you were to use a single pattern this is it. bead heads, thread heads, tinsel ribs, wire ribs, wing cases, no cases, tannish, grayish it doesn’t seem to matter. the damn thing will catch fish almost everywhere, everyday.
i think folks are prone to let fashion overwhelm utility.
by the way, your tie in size 18 saved a trip in wisconsin two septembers ago.
I think you are right Craig. So, where did you fish in Wisconsin? Are you aware of Winona Fly Factory by Justin Carroll? Excellent journey of discovery in Wisconsin. Thanks for dropping by.
SwittersB & Exploring 
mostly the driftless area in sw wisconsin. the last couple of trips to the area around viroqua, i really like black earth creek over towards madison.
we’ve camped at whitewater state park near winona several times over the years and fished and hiked the tributaries of the whitewater river.
i read wff often. nice patterns and insightful commentary.
LikeLike
it is the ESSENTIAL pattern. it looks like a bug, apparently lots of bugs. if you were to use a single pattern this is it. bead heads, thread heads, tinsel ribs, wire ribs, wing cases, no cases, tannish, grayish it doesn’t seem to matter. the damn thing will catch fish almost everywhere, everyday.
i think folks are prone to let fashion overwhelm utility.
by the way, your tie in size 18 saved a trip in wisconsin two septembers ago.
LikeLike
I think you are right Craig. So, where did you fish in Wisconsin? Are you aware of Winona Fly Factory by Justin Carroll? Excellent journey of discovery in Wisconsin. Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLike