Streamer · Stillwater · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version
BCFlyguys
Hook Daiichi 1760 curved nymph hook (a scud hook also works)
Thread Black
Materials
Bead Chartreuse slotted tungsten bead (1)
Marabou Black marabou (One feather (tail and body))
Ultra wire Red wire (One length)
How to tie it
Bead a Daiichi 1760 with a chartreuse bead, start black thread behind it, run down to the barb and back up to the bead. That back-and-forth lays the even base every leech needs.
Pick a marabou feather with long fibres on one side and shorter on the other. Strip an inch or two of the shorter side for the tail, using one feather for both parts is the whole logic of the pattern.
Measure the tail, trim the tips, spin your bobbin counter-clockwise so the thread jumps over the material, and cinch the marabou down. Bind back to the barb, then pinch the tail to length rather than cutting it.
Tie in red wire at the bead and leave it hanging. Do not worry about covering it fully. It just needs to lie alongside the shank.
Strip the long side of the same feather, keeping the tips together (wet your fingers if it helps), tie it in at the rear and twist it into a rope. Wrapping the twisted rope forward makes the fibres radiate outwards, and that radiating fuzz is where all the movement comes from.
Counter-rib the red wire forward, wiggling it and sweeping fibres toward the bead so you trap as few as possible, then sandwich it with wraps behind and in front of the bead and helicopter the tag off.
Whip finish. If you want glue, put it on the thread first and take a couple of wraps before knotting. Glue on the thread after the whip finish tends to snap it, and it keeps you from matting down the marabou.