Fly Tying Inventory
Balanced Leech – Black
The black balanced leech is the most universal color for stillwater leech fishing. Black leeches are found in nearly every lake, making this a confidence pattern. The balanced design keeps the fly hovering at the fish's level under an indicator.
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Materials
Barbless jig hook, sizes 6-12 (e.g., Umpqua C400BL or Daiichi 4647)
Dritz beading pin or Hareline Balanced Fly Pin, trimmed to 2/3 hook shank length
1/8"-3/16" tungsten bead, black nickel
6/0 or 70D, black
Blood quill marabou, black
Arizona Simi Seal dubbing, black or black/blue blend
Pearl Krystal Flash, 2-3 strands (optional)
Superglue or Zap-A-Gap
How to Tie the Balanced Leech – Black
- 1
Step 1
Place the jig hook in your vise. Trim the pin so it extends forward from the eye about the hook-eye width.
- 2
Step 2
Slide the black nickel tungsten bead onto the pin, then secure the pin on top of the hook shank with the bead extending in front of the hook eye.
- 3
Step 3
Wrap thread from the hook eye back to the bend, fully covering the pin. Add a drop of superglue for security.
- 4
Step 4
Select a sparse clump of black marabou, about 1.5x shank length. Tie in at the bend. Add 2-3 strands of Krystal Flash if desired.
- 5
Step 5
Form a dubbing loop just in front of the tail. Add black Simi Seal dubbing and spin to create a tight rope.
- 6
Step 6
Wrap the dubbing rope forward in touching turns, brushing fibers back as you go, all the way to just behind the bead.
- 7
Step 7
Whip finish tightly behind the bead.
- 8
Step 8
Pick out the dubbing with a brush or Velcro for maximum movement. Check horizontal balance by hanging from the eye.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJQyA2lOZ0w
Credit: Jerry McBride / Various