Soft Hackle Hare’s-Ear

tied by Norm Zimmerman

Rib:  French tinsel (small), gold

Hook:  Tiemco 5262—size 12-18 or similar

Body:  Hare’s-Ear Plus or similar, tan

Collar:  Ice dub UV, black (brown for light Hendricksons)

Soft hackle:  Variegated Hungarian partridge

Thread:  Uni-Thread, black 8/0

 Note:  If weight is desired, either add lead wire wraps to the hook shank or substitute a black tungsten bead  for the black ice dub collar.

Tying notes: Place hook in vise and start thread behind the eye and work back to hook bend, forming a smooth underbody. Tie in French tinsel at rear of hook. Dub hare’s-ear body forward, leaving room behind the hook eye for a narrow collar and wrapping the soft hackle and head. Wrap tinsel forward over hare’s ear body. Dub narrow ice dub collar at end of body. Tie in Hungarian feather, tip forward in front of collar, and wrap twice around hook shank. Tie off, clipping excess. (I usually strip the feather barbules from one side before tying in.) Form a neat head.