John Conits is the owner/operator and head guide of Hare’s Ear Fly Fishing. Fly Fishing is his passion and living. John believes in hard work and time on the water as the secret to success when it comes to catching fish and understanding the underwater world that fish inhabit. He spends his time learning the minute details and daily fluctuations of the habits and haunts of trout and bass so that he can transfer that knowledge to his clients. He has a large inventory of fish that he has hooked and landed. As with many fishing guides he had reached that point in his fly fishing journey where he has satisfied his desire to catch his quarry, and now pursues the final chapter of becoming a complete angler where he celebrates the assist. A day on the water with John is a deep learning experience with a patient and encouraging teacher.

Ron is our blue line junky. A blue line is a small stream on a map often in the more remote areas of the forest. “Blue Lining” is as much about the exploration of a stream or a dark cove rarely visited or seen as it is about the small vibrant and lively fish that live in these narrow hidden places in the mountains. Ron eats, sleeps, and breathes fishing. When not chasing native and wild fish on tiny creeks he enjoys fishing the bigger drainages with bigger flies for bigger fish. He also gets giddy anytime he gets a chance to fish dry flies to rising fish. It’s hard to nail down Ron as a specialist as what’s special to him, no matter how big or small, is the fish on the other end of the line.

Born on the coast but settled in the mountains, Nicola has officially traded the surf for trout. He approaches every river, big or small, with the same patient, laid-back energy he learned by the ocean. He enjoys being out there day after day, having a fun time, putting in the effort and staying around the fish, no matter the conditions or season. Nicola is our newest team member, and were grateful to have him in our program. He has joined the teaching phase of the journey, and a great person to show you the ins, and outs of fly fishing our area.