Bodkin / Patterns

Holy Grail Hare's Ear

Nymph · Wet Fly · Trout · Advanced · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Wide-gap nymph/scud hook, Tiemco 2488 (or Fulling Mill Grab Gape), #14-16, #14-16
  • Thread Fluorescent red (hot spot), chartreuse optional 70 denier

Materials

  • Hook Tiemco 2488 or equivalent wide-gap nymph hook, #14-16 (1)
  • Bead Copper brass bead, 3/32" (2.4mm). Or slotted tungsten for a jig version (1)
  • Thread UTC 70 denier, fluorescent red (or chartreuse) for a hot-spot head (-)
  • Rib Small pearl Flashabou (or fine pearl tinsel) (1 strand)
  • Body & thorax Hare's Ice Dub (Hare's Mask color), buggy hare's-ear blend with UV sparkle (pinch)
  • Wingcase / flashback Natural pheasant tail fibers pulled over the thorax (5-6 fibers)
  • Legs / collar Natural Hungarian partridge feather, one turn (1 feather)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the copper bead to the eye. Start fl. red thread behind the bead and wrap a base to the bend.
  2. Tie in one strand of small pearl Flashabou at the bend for the rib, and tie in 5-6 natural pheasant tail fibers by their tips at the bend, leaving them long to fold forward later as the wingcase.
  3. Dub a slim, buggy body of Hare's Ice Dub from the bend forward to about the 65% point.
  4. Rib the body with 4-5 evenly spaced open turns of the pearl Flashabou, then tie it off. The pearl segments and adds sparkle. Trim the excess.
  5. Dub a slightly fatter thorax of Hare's Ice Dub from the 65% point up to just behind the bead.
  6. Pull the pheasant tail fibers forward over the top of the thorax to form a flashy wingcase and tie down behind the bead; trim the butts.
  7. Tie in a natural partridge feather by the tip and take one turn behind the bead to form a soft, splayed leg collar; stroke the fibers back and tie off.
  8. Build a small hot-spot head with the fl. red thread showing behind the bead, whip finish and add a drop of head cement.

Tying videos

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