In the day, the Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear (GRHE) was a must have, go to nymph pattern for the fly fisher along with the Pheasant Tail Nymph (PTN). The two patterns covered the Clinger, Crawler, Swimmer, Burrower nymphs for mayflies. The gold bead head brightened up the pattern along the way, but one would be hard pressed to find this pattern today in most fly shops (or am I wrong?)
Synthetics (dubbings), wires and beads have allowed for smaller, denser patterns that are easier/faster to tie and seemingly as productive as the older fur/hair concoctions. I admit, I have not tied many of this pattern in the last ten or so years. I have about a couple dozen left, all on Mustad hooks of old. Rabbit is still a part of many blended dubbings and worthy of use. So, is the Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear. I bet many new tiers have not used gold tinsel in their tying.
SwittersB & Exploring 
i’m still using tinsel from some time in the seventies,
the reason it lasted so long is that i tie light (color and weight) GRHEs with lemon duck ( tail and wingcase) and tinsel. while i use brass wire for ribbing and weight (squirrel and peacock for tail and wingcase) for faster sinking nymphs.
your tie is wonderful as usual but i’m lazy and hate doing a nice wingcase with a bead. some uk tier omits the case and just dubs up to the bead. i’ve appropriated his idea in the interest of sloth and find it works fairly well.
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I think you are right in the wing case. When I omit it I am admonished about the darkening wingcase as a nymph is ready to rise/emerge. But, I envision a nymph presented tumbling along vs. swung upward and also omit the wingcase more often than not preferring to tie ‘in the round’ ala Charles Brooks. I will use the two sided tinsel (gold/silver) but even there I prefer the many colored wires now as easier to use and they probably have a bit more weight. I think perhaps we share the less exacting mindset re tying + functionality.
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Truly a classic! I have not seen gold tinsel since circa 1988 when my father bought me a second hand veniard fly tying kit… Thanks for the inspiring post Mr SwittersB – I shall tie some up for the springtime! Best regards – metiefly
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The very same to you!!! Thanks
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