Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear swap?

[Kent Lufkin]

The venerable gold ribbed hare's ear (GRHE) has long been one of my very favorite patterns, frequently producing fish when nothing else works. But in talking with others over the years I've found that there nearly as many variations on how to tie it as there are tyers.

So if you're interested, I've decided to host a GRHE swap. Tie it up as a bead head, a flashback, a soft hackle or even a dry. Just make sure to incorporate some actual hare's ear somewhere into your pattern and try to remain somewhat true to the original (or at least respectful!)

The swap is open for up to a dozen tyers and let's make the deadline for flies to me December 15 to avoid the Christmas rush. The swap will close when we've got a dozen tyers or by November 15, whichever comes first.

K

Update: we now have a dozen tyers and the swap is CLOSED.

[Flyn'dutchman]

I'm in.:thumb:

[Willie Bodger]

I'm in.

[capmblade]

Can I play? I love the GRHE. Mine are nothing special but they catch fish.

[Scott Behn]

Kent you can count me in...I'll tie up some GRHE soft hackles in a size #10...

:cool:

[Teeg Stouffer]

I haven't participated in a swap in quite a while, but it just so happens that I have been tying these lately, and would love to participate. I'll submit a weighted flashback version, with no bead head.

[Griswald]

Kent,
I would like to join this one please.

Best
Matthew (a.k.a. Griswald)

[Kent Lufkin]

Welcome aboard boys! Seven seats filled, five still open.

K

[Mike]

Count me in as well.

Mike

[James Mello]

I'd love to join. I'll do a rubber legged size 10 jobbie...

[Kent Lufkin]

Nine tyers aboard - three seats still open.

K

[Dylan D]

I'd like to participate Kent. Thanks.

[Kent Lufkin]

Ten guys on board. The next two people to post make it an even dozen and then we're closed.

K

[halcyon]

I'm in. Will tie a GRHE wet fly.

Regards,

[Kent Lufkin]

Welcome aboard Halcyon! Room for one more tyer.

Going once,

Going twice . . .

K

[Stephen Rice]

got any more room? if so I am in.

[Kent Lufkin]

Stephen makes it an even dozen and the swap is now closed.

Here's who's in:

Flyn' dutchman
Willie Bodger
Capmblade
Scott Behn
Teeg Stouffer
Matthew Grunwald
Mike
James Mello
Dylan D
Halcyon
Stephen Rice
and yours truly.

Tyers, please mark Thursday, December 15, 2005, on your calendars as the date for me to RECEIVE your flies.

I know this may seem elementary to most people, but from previous swaps I've found there's always at least one person who doesn't understand that for me to receive them by the 15th, they need to MAIL their flies several days earlier. The further you are from Seattle, the more time you should allow for snail mail to get here from wherever you are. Better yet, tie your flies early and send 'em as soon as you're finished.

Since there's twelve of us, you can send eleven flies and keep the twelfth for yourself (although an extra two or three for the swapmeister will be gratefully appreciated!)

So that everyone knows which beauties YOU tied, attach a toe tag to each of your flies with your name and the name of your fly. If you wish (and you write really small!), you can also include the recipe as well. A strip of paper cut to about 3/8" x 4" with a 1/4" on one end folded back and the point of the hook stuck through the doubled paper works great.

Please avoid using little pre-cut tags with strings that you tie onto each fly. From experience, the string works loose and I end up getting a bunch of loose flies and tags that I've gotta reattach. Also, please avoid big tags. At least one person will send their flies in a little tiny fly box or Altoid tin which will make stuffing your big tag into that tiny space a challenge.

Place your flies in a crush-proof container (a cheap plastic fly box, an Altoid tin or a plastic VHS tape case all work great). Put the container in a heavy manilla clasp envelope or sturdy box along with a self-addressed return envelope or a stick-on label.

Please make SURE and include the correct return postage or a couple of bucks. I get cranky when someone just assumes that I'll pay for return postage.

Mail the whole shebang to me at:

Kent Lufkin
c/o L2D Design
13343 Bel-Red Road
Bellevue, WA 98005

I'll divide up the flies on Friday, December 16 and mail 'em back out to you. You don't have to wait until the middle of December to send 'em in. If everyone gets their flies in early then I can send 'em out early and the swap doesn't have to come to a screetching halt while one or two guys are frantically tying the day before the deadline.

Finally, if you've got to pull out of the swap for some unforeseen reason, PLEASE let us know by posting to this thread as soon as possible. Things change in life and it's OK if you've gotta focus on something else instead. But a little advance notice will go a long way and keep me from having to track you down the day before the deadline.

I'll add to this thread from time to time to see how we're all doing as the deadline draws closer and will send email or PMs to any laggards.

Otherwise, thanks for joining in the swap - I can't wait to see your personal interpretation of this classic pattern.

K

[TheShadKing]

the (GRHE) has long been one of my very favorite pattern.

I agree! I'm a bit bummed I'm not participating, but that's totally ok because I just tied a set for the Marathon swap:

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/18166/WFF_Marathon-Nymph_023.jpg


Rolland

ps. the Lagartun oval tinsel is way better than any unbranded tinsel I've ever used.

[halcyon]

Flies are packaged and will be posted on Monday.

Flies are in flight!!

Regards,

[Kent Lufkin]

Halcyon, you're awesome! I'm gonna start mine tomorrow morning.

K

[Teeg Stouffer]

Mine are done, will get toe tags and go in the mail in the next couple days.

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/500/Hares_Ears.jpg

1 dozen weighted flashback hare's ears, plus a couple variations for the 'meister (olive variant, different wing case, and tied sparsely).

Recipe in my gallery.

Looking forward to seeing everyone else's!

[Kent Lufkin]

Sweet, Teeg! I'll look forward to seeing them.

Mine are half done but we're remodeling our house and my tying desk is buried under a tarp in a pile of furniture in the front room while the painter's at work. Hopefully, I can finish this weekend.

K

[Scott Behn]

Same here Ken, I'll get these bugs mailed out here in a few...12 GRHE soft hackles and few extra for ya...

:cool:

[Kent Lufkin]

Mine are done as well but the only ones I've seen yet are from Halcyon.

How are the rest of you coming along?

K

[capmblade]

I put mine in the mail yesterday. 13 "Tree Farm GRHE's". They are black with red wire. I have had success with them in the dark waters of Lake Hancock. My last fish caught with one was a big brook trout in October.

Kent, I'm hoping you can reuse the box that I sent the flies in. Also, I put in $3 for the shipping. I hope that's enough. This is my first flyswap so I apologize if my swapping procedure is sloppy.

[Teeg Stouffer]

Mine finally are in a box with toe tags, in an envelope, on my desk. Now I just need to make a trip to the post office, which may happen this afternoon, but definitely by tomorrow. Yipppppeeee!

[Kent Lufkin]

David, got yours in today's mail. Very nice, especially so for a first-time swapper. I'm getting excited to fish some of these beauties . . .

K

[Kent Lufkin]

Mike has had to pull out. For those of you who have not yet finished tying, there are now 11 of us in the swap.

K

[Willie Bodger]

Finished tying mine this morning, now need to toe tag and ship 'em off to Kent, should happen this week...

Willie

[Stephen Rice]

Mine are half complete, I am so damn lazy ! at any rate, mine are green with a black beadhead.

[Kent Lufkin]

Teeg's beauties arrived in today's mail. You guys are gonna love this swap!

K

[Flyn'dutchman]

Mine are done. Will be in the mail today. Olive Gold Ribbed Hare's Ears with wild turkey wing cases. Been a killer pattern on the small resivors above town in the spring.

[Kent Lufkin]

Olive Gold Ribbed Hare's Ears with wild turkey wing cases. Been a killer pattern on the small resivors above town in the spring.

I can sure imagine why this pattern works so well after seeing Flyn'dutchman's beautiful ties. How are the rest of you coming along?

K

[Dylan D]

I should finish mine up and in the mail before this weekend.

BHSHGRHE's, they're my go-to fly I have ultimate confidence in.

[Kent Lufkin]

I got Matthew Grunwald's sexy black GHRE's in today's mail. Here's a list of where we're at a week before the deadline:

Flyn' dutchman - reveived
Willie Bodger - will hand deliver
Capmblade - reveived
Scott Behn
Teeg Stouffer - reveived
Matthew Grunwald - reveived
Mike - pulled out
James Mello
Dylan D
Halcyon - reveived
Stephen Rice
and yours truly – done

Scott, Dylan and Stephen have all posted that they're in process. If you guys could wrap it up this weekend and send on Monday, we'll be in good shape.

I'll ping James Mello to see if he's still on board.

[James Mello]

I got Matthew Grunwald's sexy black GHRE's in today's mail. Here's a list of where we're at a week before the deadline:

Flyn' dutchman - reveived
Willie Bodger - will hand deliver
Capmblade - reveived
Scott Behn
Teeg Stouffer - reveived
Matthew Grunwald - reveived
Mike - pulled out
James Mello
Dylan D
Halcyon - reveived
Stephen Rice
and yours truly – done

Scott, Dylan and Stephen have all posted that they're in process. If you guys could wrap it up this weekend and send on Monday, we'll be in good shape.

I'll ping James Mello to see if he's still on board.

Totally on board folks! For whatever reason I thought that we would use email to coordinate... :) At any rate, my bad.. I've got the following being tied:

size 10 GRHE tied on a 1x short size 10 (size 12 length, size 10 gap). Rubber legs, bead head, and normal dressing otherwise. I like it for early spring stones :) Used it on the yak last feb and it worked just fine :)

So far 5 are done, and I should bang 'em out tonite and get them in the mail by Thursday.

[Kent Lufkin]

Thanks for your prompt response James. Your rapid post beat our PM exchange!

All present and accounted for.

K

[Stephen Rice]

I will have mine out by Friday !

[Scott Behn]

Heh Kent the wife mailed mine out this morning from Everett...So start looking for them on Sat.

:cool:

[James Mello]

Sent out... I added a few to the box either for Kent or to pick the best ones for sending out :) Hopefully they'll arrive either tommorow or on Monday :)

-- Cheers
-- James