Soft Hackle Hare's Ear
Soft Hackle Hare's Ear is a buggy wet fly that bridges nymph and emerger stages and excels on the swing or as a lightly subsurface drift fly. It supports soft hackle hare's ear, wet fly emerger, and classic trout wet searches.
Imitates: Emerging mayflies, caddis, and general soft-bodied aquatic insects
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #14-18
- Best Season
- Spring through fall
- Best Conditions
- Riffles, swing water, and hatch periods when trout feed just under the surface
- Water Temp
- 48-66°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 4X-5X
How to Rig It
Fish alone, as the upper fly in a two-wet rig, or beneath a dry during hatches.
How to Present It
Let it drift, tighten slowly, and allow it to lift at the end of the swing.
Why It Works
The buggy hare's ear body and soft moving collar suggest many vulnerable food forms at once.
History
Soft-hackle versions of common nymphs became standards because they fish well across multiple insect stages.
Pro Tip
Do not overwork it—the natural pulse of the soft hackle often does all the convincing for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a Soft Hackle Hare's Ear best?+
It is best during emergences or whenever trout are taking bugs just under the surface in moving water.
Not sure if Soft Hackle Hare's Ear is right today?
Get a fly recommendation based on live water temp, flow, sky, and time of day for any river in the US.
Open Fly Advisor
Map
Fly Guide