Davy Wotton ties Winged Wets

Master tyer and matrials guru Davy Wotton is being honored at this week’s Sowbug Roundup in Mountain Home.

The theme of the 2024 Sowbug is “The Elegant Wet Fly”, fitting in that the wet fly is central to Wotton’s mastery as a tyer, angler and guide/instructor.

So this week we offer this video from our archives.

A winged wet Hare’s Ear as traditional and elegant a fish catcher as you will find.

Winged wet flies date back the early 19th Century UK, a time when the vice was considered a subversive influence, bamboo hadn’t really taken over from wood, and a light trout rod might be 12’ long. While other conventions of the time, buckled to progress the winged wets remain.

Wet fly master and White River guide Davy Wotton demonstrates his winged wet technique on this classic pattern.

“The winged wet hares ear is one of the old traditional classics that will catch trout in any water they can be found. It’s particularly good during the caddis season and when water conditions are warm and trout active to all manner of food sources.”

Recipe:

Tail.  Few fibers of hen pheasant hackle or tan hen hackle. Or 3 strands of bronze mallard.
Body: Hares ear dubbing or SLF Whitlock number 1 Red Fox thorax.
Rib: Fine flat gold tinsel.
Wing. Either rooster ring neck pheasant or hen pheasant secondary wing quills.
Hackle: Hen pheasant neck or Brown partridge or tan/brown hen pheasant hackle