Bodkin / Patterns

Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Jig nymph hook (60-degree), 12-18
  • Thread Fluorescent orange 70 denier

Materials

  • Slotted tungsten bead Gold bead (1)
  • Floss tag Fluorescent fire orange (Glo-Brite #5) (short length)
  • Opal/pearl tinsel rib Opalescent (1 strand)
  • Dubbing body Natural hare's ear (small pinch)
  • Squirrel/CDC collar blend Gray/natural squirrel cdc collar blend (small pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Slide a gold slotted tungsten bead onto the jig hook and seat it against the eye.
  2. Start fluorescent-orange thread behind the bead and wrap back to the bend.
  3. Tie in a short tag of fluorescent fire-orange floss at the bend, no longer than a hook gap; this is the rear hot spot.
  4. Tie in an opal tinsel rib, then dub a slim hare's-ear body forward to about the 70% mark.
  5. Counter-wrap the tinsel rib in 4-5 evenly spaced turns and tie off for flash and durability.
  6. Spin a squirrel/CDC dubbing blend in a loop and take 2-3 turns for a soft, mobile collar behind the bead.
  7. Build a fluorescent-orange thread hot spot between the collar and the bead, then whip finish; the orange thread and orange tag are the two hot spots that name the fly.

Tying videos

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