Bodkin / Patterns

Goat Leech

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook streamer / long-shank nymph hook, #8-12
  • Thread match body (black, brown, olive) 6/0 (140 denier)

Materials

  • Bead Bead head (gold or black, optional) (1)
  • Tail Marabou (1 plume, shank-plus length)
  • Flash Krystal Flash (few strands)
  • Body Angora goat / webby leech dubbing (dubbed shaggy, brushed out)
  • Rib Fine wire (4-5 turns (to lock dubbing))

How to tie it

  1. Add an optional bead at the eye for weight, then tie in a long, mobile marabou tail (a shank-plus long) at the bend with a few strands of flash.
  2. Tie in a fine wire rib at the tail.
  3. Dub a shaggy body of angora goat (mohair-type) dubbing forward, keeping it loose and buggy.
  4. Counter-wrap the wire rib forward in 4-5 turns to lock the long guard fibers in.
  5. Brush the body out hard with a dubbing brush so the goat hair stands out and pulses in the water.
  6. Whip finish; the long-fibered goat dubbing is what gives this leech its lifelike breathing action.

Tying videos

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