What it is
Hareline Egg Veil is a synthetic egg-fly tying material meant to suggest the milt or “veil” you see around drifting eggs. It’s lightweight and very wispy on the hook, and when it’s wet it takes on a translucent, milt-like look that helps an egg pattern read as more natural in the water.
What to tie with it
Use it right at the front of an egg pattern to create that soft milt effect and a little halo around the egg. Most tyers tie it in as a short collar or veil, then trim and tease it to keep it sparse and airy so it stays wispy rather than bulky.
Flies and the fish they're for
Egg Veil is commonly used on egg patterns like the Nuke Egg and Glo Bug style eggs to add a milt veil at the front. Those are staple flies for steelhead and trout in rivers, especially around spawning periods when fish are keying on drifting eggs. It also fits as part of an attractor-egg/nymph style setup for steelhead when you’re fishing it alongside a nymph or another egg.
How it compares
Compared with White McFlyfoam as a milt imitation, Egg Veil is lighter and wispier. McFlyfoam still does a decent milt look, but it won’t give the same airy, translucent veil effect.