Hedgehog

The combination of materials that can be used to tie a fly are endless.  However, certain materials seem to out perform others.  One such material all to often overlooked is golden pheasant.  The mottled effect is nothing short of outstanding! Couple a tail and body of golden pheasant with hare's ear..   Better yet, add clear Antron and pearl UV Ice Dub to the hare's ear... Holy hole in a donut, Batman!  Here's a pattern that you can expect results!  

It's name is comes from the anti-submarine weapons system utilized during WWII that played hell on German U-boats.  Once this pattern hits the water- hold on!

Materials

Hook:  Daiichi 1120 (or choice), sizes 10-16
Thread:  8/0 Uni-thread, Tobacco
Bead:  Choice
Tail:  Golden pheasant tail fibers
Body:  Golden pheasant tail fibers
Ribbing:  Copper or gold wire
Wingcase:  Mirage tinsel
Thorax:  Hare's ear mixed with pearl UV Ice Dub and clear Antron

Step 1:

Pinch barb in vise.  Place bead on to hook and secure in vise.  Start thread and wind to a point just behind hook point as shown.

Step 2:

Remove 4 or 5 golden pheasant fibers and ensure tips are aligned.  Tie in tail.  Tail should be about one hook gap in length.  Stopping point on hook bend is shown below.

Wind thread forward just behind bead and remove waste fibers.

Step 3:

Take 5 or 6 golden pheasant fibers from the stem and cut off approximately 1/4-inch from the tips (weak area).  Secure to the top of the hook shank.  Tie in copper wire to the near side of the hook shank (I will be counter wrapping wire).  Make thread wraps to the previous stopping point to secure pheasant and copper. Return thread to the position shown.

Wrap golden pheasant forward just behind bead.  Secure and then wrap to the rear. Note securing position of thread.

Counter wrap copper wire.  Achieve 5 or 6 even segments before reaching a spot directly above the hook point.  However, continue wrapping forward and stop behind the bead.  Return thread to a position as shown.

Step 4:

Tie in and secure opal Mirage tinsel to the top of the hook shank.  Note stopping position.

Step 5:

Form a dubbing loop or apply hare's ear mixture direct to thread.  I have elected to form a dubbing loop.  Insert light clumps of hare's ear mixture inside loop.  (I feel the spikiness of the dubbing loop effect not only looks more professional, but performs better.)

Twist loop, but not too tight.  The guard hairs, UV Ice Dub, and Antron should stick out at 90-degree angles.  Wrap forward in close turns while stroke material to the rear.

Oh, what a mess!  Not to worry.  The thorax looks terribly thick, but this is what I intended.

Pinch the thorax between your thumb and index finger.  Draw and stroke down material to the underside of hook shank.  This will remove and the loose fibers and clear a space for our wingcase on top of the hook shank.

Step 6:

Bring wingcase forward and secure with a couple of wraps.

Make two whip finishes with 4 or 5 turns each and trim thread.

Step 7:

As Billy Mays used to say.... "But wait- there's more!"   This fly is looking darn buggy looking, eh? Let's give it a distinctive flash by adding a coat of Clear Cure Goo followed by a thin coat of Hard as Nails over the wingcase.  Wow!  This gal is looking for a hot date now!

Enjoy!