lv2nymph, I recently started tying and fishing a mink beadhead pattern. It's all mink with just some extra guard hairs mixed in for the thorax area and a gold rib. Easy to tie and I got a mink skin that will tie hundreds for 4 bucks. Can't beat it.
I have to say though that the hare's ear has been my most productive beadhead and therefore my favorite that I fish with the most confidence.
Pontus, that sounds like the one I'm tying minus the rib. Here are a few.
I feel the same way about these as you with the hares ear. They work year round as well. They are much darker than they appear in the pic. ( too much light I think)
Those look a lot like mine do. My abdomens are lighter with almost an orange tint to them, and then the thorax is dark brown with all those spiky guard hairs like that. I use black tungsten beads for the head, but very similar pattern nonetheless. Mink is a great material.