Steve Hudson
Senior Member
The Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear is one of the most popular nymphs of all time, and the original version works just as well today as it did when it appeared on the fly fishing scene in the 1800s.
Over the years, however, innovative tyers have come up with quite a few variations on the basic "GRHE" theme -- and one that I especially like is the beadhead "flashback" version that we'll tie this Saturday on The Tying Bench!
The Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph is an easy-to-tie GRHE variation that substitutes a strip of flash material for the turkey quill used to form the fly's wing case. The result is a fly that is exceptionally eye-catching for fish and fisherfolk alike.
I'm sure you'll enjoy tying the Flashback Hare's Ear!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Hook: Size 12, 1XL straight-shank nymph hook. The fly can be tied in a range of sizes from size 10 to size 18, but size 12 provides a good platform on which to learn the pattern.
Bead: We will tie a beadhead version of this fly. Choose a round, gold-colored, brass or tungsten bead suitable for the hook you're using.
Thread: 6/0, black
Tail: Made from the tips of a bundle of fibers from a turkey tail feather.
Traditionally, the tail is made from long guard hairs from a hare's mask. This approach still works fine, too, though it's easier with the turkey tail feather fibers.
(If you go with the hare's hair tailing option, cut a bundle of hair from the central part of the hare's mask, and then comb out the finer hair to leave only the coarser guard hairs. Those are the hairs you use to make the traditional sort of Hare's Ear tail.)
Ribbing: Gold-colored ribbing wire. Medium-small (or "Brassie" size) will do the job here.
Abdomen: Hare's Ear Blend dubbing.
Wing Case: A single wide strip (or several narrower strips) of pearl flash material. Depending on the look you want in the finished fly, other colors (including red, which yields a great red hotspot!) can also be used.
.
Thorax: More Hare's Ear Blend dubbing.
Wing Case Overlay (to bring out the flash in the flashy material): A drop of clear UV-cure resin, added on top of the flash after the fly is complete. Thin or thick formulations can be used. With thin formulations, you may need two applications. Suitable material is available in your fly shop. Remember that you will need a UV light to cure it.
SPECIAL MATERIALS / TOOLS YOU'LL NEED:
* Dubbing wax
* Wire dubbing brush to brush out the thorax. You can also pick out the fibers with a dubbing needle, but the brush is easier.
To finish the "flashback":
* Clear UV-cure resin
* Bodkin or toothpick to carefully apply a drop of the resin to the wingcase
* UV light to cure resin
* Paper towels and rubbing alcohol to clean the bodkin after use.
ZOOM LOGIN:
Saturday, Sept. 4, 10 a.m. Eastern
Meeting ID: 842 4782 3067
Passcode: FlyTying04
Over the years, however, innovative tyers have come up with quite a few variations on the basic "GRHE" theme -- and one that I especially like is the beadhead "flashback" version that we'll tie this Saturday on The Tying Bench!
The Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph is an easy-to-tie GRHE variation that substitutes a strip of flash material for the turkey quill used to form the fly's wing case. The result is a fly that is exceptionally eye-catching for fish and fisherfolk alike.
I'm sure you'll enjoy tying the Flashback Hare's Ear!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Hook: Size 12, 1XL straight-shank nymph hook. The fly can be tied in a range of sizes from size 10 to size 18, but size 12 provides a good platform on which to learn the pattern.
Bead: We will tie a beadhead version of this fly. Choose a round, gold-colored, brass or tungsten bead suitable for the hook you're using.
Thread: 6/0, black
Tail: Made from the tips of a bundle of fibers from a turkey tail feather.
Traditionally, the tail is made from long guard hairs from a hare's mask. This approach still works fine, too, though it's easier with the turkey tail feather fibers.
(If you go with the hare's hair tailing option, cut a bundle of hair from the central part of the hare's mask, and then comb out the finer hair to leave only the coarser guard hairs. Those are the hairs you use to make the traditional sort of Hare's Ear tail.)
Ribbing: Gold-colored ribbing wire. Medium-small (or "Brassie" size) will do the job here.
Abdomen: Hare's Ear Blend dubbing.
Wing Case: A single wide strip (or several narrower strips) of pearl flash material. Depending on the look you want in the finished fly, other colors (including red, which yields a great red hotspot!) can also be used.
.
Thorax: More Hare's Ear Blend dubbing.
Wing Case Overlay (to bring out the flash in the flashy material): A drop of clear UV-cure resin, added on top of the flash after the fly is complete. Thin or thick formulations can be used. With thin formulations, you may need two applications. Suitable material is available in your fly shop. Remember that you will need a UV light to cure it.
SPECIAL MATERIALS / TOOLS YOU'LL NEED:
* Dubbing wax
* Wire dubbing brush to brush out the thorax. You can also pick out the fibers with a dubbing needle, but the brush is easier.
To finish the "flashback":
* Clear UV-cure resin
* Bodkin or toothpick to carefully apply a drop of the resin to the wingcase
* UV light to cure resin
* Paper towels and rubbing alcohol to clean the bodkin after use.
ZOOM LOGIN:
Saturday, Sept. 4, 10 a.m. Eastern
Meeting ID: 842 4782 3067
Passcode: FlyTying04
