Bodkin / Patterns

Balanced Leech

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Beginner · 6 versions

Classic Recipe

• Hook Jig, balanced, 8-12
• Thread Black, olive, wine 6/0

Materials

• Pin Sequin pin + bead, forward (balance)
• Tail Marabou (full)
• Body Dubbing loop, brushed (shaggy)

How to tie it

1. Slide a bead onto a sequin pin, mount the jig hook, and lash the pin along the top of the shank so the bead sits forward of the eye. This off-center weight is what makes the fly hang horizontal under an indicator.
2. Trim the pin, wrap a smooth thread base back to the bend, and lock everything down.
3. Tie in a full marabou plume at the bend as a tail one to one-and-a-half shank lengths long.
4. Spin the remaining marabou (or leech dubbing) in a dubbing loop, wrap forward as a shaggy body up behind the bead, then brush it out with velcro so it breathes.
5. Build a small collar, whip finish behind the bead, and cement.

Other versions

5 more in the app: Classic Recipe (2), Fly Fish Food Tie, variant 1, Fly Fish Food Tie, variant 2, Fly Fish Food Tie, variant 3, Fly Fish Food Tie, variant 4.

Tying videos

• Balanced Leech — Phil Rowley (YouTube)
• Balanced Leech — Charlie's Fly Box (YouTube)
• Balanced Leech — Trident Fly Fishing (YouTube)
• Balanced Leech — Fly Fish Food (YouTube)
• Balanced Leech — Fly Fish Food (YouTube)
• Balanced Leech — Fly Fish Food (Fly Fish Food (tutorial))
• Balanced Leech — Fly Fish Food (Fly Fish Food (tutorial))

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