An often overlooked fly pattern for steelhead or trout is the simple, but elegant leech. Although capable of attain sizes of close to a foot, trout prefer leeches in the one to three inch range and are best imitated on long shank #6 through #12 hooks. Weighting the front portion of the hook with lead wire substitute, beads or cones, provides a seductive jigging motion animating the soft materials good leech patterns are noted for. Beads and cones provide added flash, too.
Favored leech colors include black, maroon, brown, olive and various mottled combinations. Matching marabou tail works well when steelhead or trout seem wary of the traditional solid color cuisine. Keep in mind that leeches come in a myriad of colors including brown, olive and green. On bright days the earth tones of a brown or the camouflaged mixture of a green and olive leech should not be overlooked. I keep a mixture of somber and bright patterns within my fly box, somber for moody days and clear waters and garish patterns for clouded water or aggressive fish.
If steelhead or trout are in an active mood, leech patterns that are retrieved using either slow 12 inch or steady 4 inch pulls work like magic. During these active phases, gaudy leech patterns draw fish from quite a distance. The jigging action of a bead head pattern is another trick of the trade for successful leech designs.
Leech Pattern for Trout and Steelhead
Hook: TMC 7999 or Daiichi 899 or 3X nymph hook Sizes – 10 to 6
Thread: Black 6/0
Body: Green Crystal Chenille or straight cut strip of rabbit fur no more than ¼” long
Weight: Optional lead 0.015 or dumbbell eyes
Tail: Black Marabou
Flash: Krystal Flash – Pearl or Green
Eyes: Optional lead dumbbell eyes (not shown)
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