Flash can enhance a fly's attraction, but it can be over done. In a major feature in the January 2021 issue, I show how I use flashy and sparkly materials in a manner of different ways to enhance a fly's appearance in the water and make it stand out, and catch the fish's eye, without 'over doing' the flashiness.

One of the patterns I show is the Pearly Hare's Ear, and here's the tying sequence for that fly. You'll see that it uses a silver bead and Pearl Microglint thread, yet it still maintains an overall natural look. Here's the dressing details:

Pearly Hare's Ear
Hook: Partridge G3A/L Wet Fly Supreme Size 14.
Bead: 3.2mm Silver counter-sunk tungsten.
Thread: Semperfli Pearl Microglint thread.
Tail: Tying thread fibres under Coq de Leon.
Body: Grey squirrel dub.
Rib: Tying thread.
Thorax: Tying thread under sparse overdub of grey squirrel.

Using the ‘Pearl Microglint’ thread lets the pearl colour show through the dubbed body under the more visible rib. As well as a good, general purpose deeper river nymph, this is also a handy fly without the weight of a bead, as a lighter weighted nymph for lochs and stillwaters.