Bodkin / Patterns

Ruby Eyed Leech

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Pike · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook streamer or jig hook, #8-12
  • Thread black 6/0

Materials

  • Bead-chain or glass eyes Red (ruby) (1 pair)
  • Marabou (tail) Black, wine, or olive (1 plume)
  • Krystal Flash (tail) Red or pearl holographic tinsel (few strands)
  • Dubbing or chenille (body) Black/wine (short length)
  • Schlappen or soft hackle (palmer) Black saddle hackle (1 feather)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread behind the eye and lash the red eyes on top one-and-a-half eye-lengths back with tight figure-8 wraps.
  2. Run the thread to the bend and tie in a marabou tail one shank length long with a few strands of red Krystal Flash.
  3. Tie in a soft hackle by the tip at the tail and bind in the dubbing/chenille.
  4. Dub or wrap a shaggy body forward to just behind the eyes.
  5. Palmer the hackle forward through the body in 5-6 open turns for a breathing, leggy profile and tie off behind the eyes.
  6. Figure-8 the thread around the eyes to lock everything, build a small head, whip finish, and cement.

Tying videos

← All fly patterns