Euro NymphsIce Hare's Ear
The Ice Hare's Ear is a modern take on the classic Hare's Ear that substitutes Ice Dub for traditional dubbing, creating a flashier and more translucent pattern while maintaining the buggy profile that trout find irresistible. The peacock Ice Dub thorax adds an attractive sheen and lifelike sparkle that traditional materials can't match. This versatile euro nymph works throughout the season as both a searching pattern and specific mayfly or caddis imitation.
Year Round
Beginner
Trout
Overview
The Ice Hare's Ear maintains the proven profile of traditional hare's ear patterns while incorporating modern materials that add flash and translucency. The Ice Dub creates a more prominent sparkle than natural dubbing, making the fly more visible in off-color water or low-light conditions. The silver wire ribbing adds segmentation and durability while complementing the silver bead. This pattern ties quickly and works well in sizes #12-#18 depending on the target insects and water conditions.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook, size #14
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier, tan
Bead: Hanak Round+ Slotted Tungsten Beads, 3.5mm, silver
Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon Euro Nymph Tailing Pack, dark pardo
Body: Ice Dub, hare's ear
Rib: UTC Ultra Wire, silver, brassie
Thorax: Ice Dub, peacock
Fishing Tips
Season
Effective year-round as a versatile searching pattern. Particularly productive during spring mayfly emergences and summer caddis activity. The flashy Ice Dub body works well in early season when water may be slightly off-color from runoff or rain.
Presentation
Fish on a tight-line euro nymphing setup with minimal weight for maximum contact and sensitivity. Cast upstream and allow the fly to dead drift naturally along the bottom where nymphs and larvae live. The jig hook orientation helps reduce snags on rocky substrates. Use high-stick techniques to maintain contact and detect subtle takes.
When to Use
Deploy as a go-to searching pattern when no specific hatch is occurring. Excellent during mayfly nymphing activity and when caddis larvae are present. The added sparkle of Ice Dub makes this pattern effective in slightly murky water or overcast conditions when extra visibility helps. Works well when fish are holding deep in runs and pools.
Water Type
Designed for moving water including riffles, runs, pocket water, and pools. Most effective in moderate to fast currents where the tungsten bead gets the fly down quickly into the strike zone. The slim profile and flashy materials also work in spring creeks and tailwaters where the added attraction can trigger strikes from selective trout.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish as the point fly in a euro nymphing rig on 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet. The 3.5mm tungsten bead provides adequate weight for most water depths, but add a lighter dropper pattern 12-18 inches above if fishing deeper runs. Can also be effective as a dropper below a dry fly or under an indicator for less technical presentations.
Visibility & Floatation
The silver tungsten bead provides quick sink rate and subtle flash without spooking fish. The Ice Dub body creates translucency and sparkle that mimics the natural segmentation and gills of aquatic insects. The peacock Ice Dub thorax adds an attractive hotspot with its iridescent sheen. The wire ribbing reinforces the body while creating realistic segmentation. The Coq de Leon tail fibers provide lifelike movement in the current.
