How to tie: a Bead Head Soft Hackle Hairs Ear

from: Tactical Fly Fisher

Today, Tactical Fly Fisher is going to show you how to tie the Bead Head Soft Hackle Hairs Ear, a versatile and lifelike fly that's perfect for smaller freestone streams. Its soft hackle gives it great movement in the water, and it's effective in a variety of fishing conditions, especially where fish are making quick decisions.

Materials:

• Hook: Firehole 633, Size 12

• Bead: 3.3mm Gold Tungsten Tactical Fly Fisher Bead

• Lead Wire: .020 inch diameter

• Thread: Uni ADOT Camel

• Rib: Uni Soft Wire, Medium Gold

• Dubbing: Trout Line Mad Rabbit Dubbing Plus (for body)

• Soft Hackle: India Hen Back (or your preferred soft hackle)

• Super Glue (for securing the wire)

Steps:

1. Start the Thread:

   • Secure your hook in the vise and begin with the Uni ADOT Camel thread. Build a thread base behind the bead, wrapping back toward the hook bend.

2. Add Lead Wire:

   • Attach the lead wire just behind the bead, wrapping about five to six turns. Apply a small drop of super glue to hold the wire in place, then slide it back and secure it with a few more wraps.

3. Tie in the Rib:

   • Attach the medium gold Uni Soft Wire just behind the lead wraps and wrap it back toward the bend of the hook. This will form your rib for the body.

4. Dub the Body:

   • Take your Mad Rabbit Dubbing Plus and dub a tight rope around your thread. Begin wrapping the dubbing forward, building a tapered body. Leave a small gap near the bead for the thorax.

5. Wrap the Rib:

   • Once the body is complete, wrap the ribbing wire forward in even turns to form a segmented body. Secure it with a few wraps and helicopter it off.

6. Build the Thorax:

   • Apply a small amount of dubbing to form a thorax area, helping to separate the hackle fibers and giving them more movement in the water.

7. Tie in the Soft Hackle:

   • Select a soft hackle feather, strip the fibers back, and tie it in with the shiny side facing the hook. Wrap the feather around the hook in a few turns, securing it with a couple of wraps of thread.

8. Finish the Fly:

   • Build up the thorax to hold the hackle out and reinforce it by wrapping more dubbing. Finish off with a whip finish and apply a small drop of super glue to the thread wraps.