Overview

The Problem Child is an attractor nymph from Colorado signature tyer Charlie Craven. This listing is the natural Hare's Ear color.

It is a flashy, ragged attractor nymph with color-matched biot horns and tails, a soft dubbed body, a Mirage flash rib and a two-tone soft hackle collar. Two tungsten beads in alternating colors add weight and a peekaboo hot spot. Tied on a heavily curved, Klink-style hook, it suggests caddis larvae and pupae as well as small stoneflies, and Craven designed it to get down and stay down.

Euro Specs

• Bead: Tungsten.
• Hook: Heavily curved Klink-style hook.
• Role: Both; anchor fly in the larger size, or upper/dropper fly.

How to Fish It

• Euro nymphing: fish it on the point or as the upper fly in a two-fly rig. The two beads help it sink and stay down.
• Under an indicator: lead with it and trail a smaller natural nymph or midge 12 to 18 inches below.
• Dry-dropper: hang the smaller sizes under a foam dry in riffles and pocket water.
• When to fish it: it covers caddis larvae, pupae and small stoneflies, so it fishes well from spring through fall, especially when nothing is visibly hatching.

Choosing Color and Size

Hare's Ear is the most natural color, a mottled tan that matches caddis larvae, pupae and many mayfly and stonefly nymphs. Choose 14 for faster, deeper water and larger bugs, and 16 for clearer water or smaller naturals.