Bodkin / Patterns

Balanced Leather Leech

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 2 versions

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Jig/90-degree hook (Umpqua XT500 or Ahrex FW551), 8-10
  • Thread Black or olive 6/0

Materials

  • Bead Black tungsten bead (1/8") (1)
  • Pin/extension Dressmaker's/sequin pin half (1)
  • Tail Winkler's Leech Leather / Ultrasuede, tapered (1 strip)
  • Flash Micro pearl Flashabou, optional (2 strands)
  • Body Arizona Simi Seal dubbing in a dubbing loop (1 loop)

How to tie it

  1. Slide a tungsten bead onto a half dressmaker's pin, lash the pin along the top of the shank with the bead extending forward past the eye, and build a thread dam behind the bead so it stays put; the forward-mounted bead is what makes the fly hang horizontally.
  2. Cut a strip of leech leather into a long taper with a rounded tip and tie it in at the bend, leaving the tail slightly longer than the whole hook-and-pin assembly for a slim, undulating leech profile.
  3. Add two strands of micro pearl Flashabou along the tail if desired.
  4. Form a long dubbing loop at the bend, insert a sparse clump of Simi Seal, and spin it tight.
  5. Palmer the dubbing loop forward to the bead, sweeping the fibers back with each turn.
  6. Tie off at the bead, build a smooth head, whip finish and cement, then rake and trim stray fibers to a slim leech shape.

Other versions

1 more in the app: Nano.

Tying videos

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