The worlds smallest leech pattern.

[FlySmyth]

Some fellow told me he fishes a size 14 3xl leech. Does anyone really fish leeches that small? The smallest I have tied mine is like 8 3xl. Is that too big?

FlySmyth.

[cardiac]

Fleasmyth, Joni ties a fly Jason came up with that we call a Hasbro. Maribou and a bead head on a 12 & 14 streamer hook. Different colors and they work great. Fish them like a nymph or like a leech in stillwater. Very effective.

[Jason]

Absolutely. You'd be surprised at how small and active small leeches are in lakes.....and the fish key on them. Small black, brown, olive, and even red. I've got a few patterns I'll have to show you sometime. And yes, the Hasbro is always in my box. It's the simplest pattern you'll ever tie. Again, I'll have to show it to you sometime soon. Just tie your normal leech patterns in smaller sizes and you'll do fine.

[Grundelwalken]

Josh went out to Pelican over the weekend and had a great time with a small version of an egg-sucking leech I made on size 10 and 12. Actually, he said they couldn't get a good set on anything bigger than that so he was glad I had made them smaller. Thanks again to Curtis for the pattern. MW

[Grizz]

I think this pattern would work on the lp and other similar rivers during the runoff. Last year I noticed a large amount of 12-14 leeches in trouts' diet and have been looking for a good small leech pattern ever since then. I would like to see a pic of this fly.

12-14" in the belly is more like a 8-10" in the water, a 6" if the wind's a howlin'. Honestly dude, is the fishing "FOR SURE"?<
12"s er the ticket, only cause you can stroke a tail, by the time you're done, there that chicken wing looks like a T-Bone, better to best not doze on the stick!

oR, do you think anything else would probaly work? Pattern is utilty, water is utility, there's only thing that brings fun in to the game> & that is you , & how you fish yer bugs.

peace

[cardiac]

12-14" in the belly is more like a 8-10" in the water, a 6" if the wind's a howlin'. Honestly dude, is the fishing "FOR SURE"?<
12"s er the ticket, only cause you can stroke a tail, by the time you're done, there that chicken wing looks like a T-Bone, better to best not doze on the stick!

oR, do you think anything else would probaly work? Pattern is utilty, water is utility, there's only thing that brings fun in to the game> & that is you , & how you fish yer bugs.

peace
I thin he meens hook sizes Lucy. Size 12-14

[FishOn!]

I think this pattern would work on the lp and other similar rivers during the runoff. Last year I noticed a large amount of 12-14 leeches in trouts' diet and have been looking for a good small leech pattern ever since then. I would like to see a pic of this fly.

Anyone got a pic yet of these flies?

[mholtum]

I tie about 45% of my leaches in a #12 or smaller. They work great as the main offering or if the bite is slow, use it as a trailer fly and hold on!

[cardiac]

I tie about 45% of my leaches in a #12 or smaller. They work great as the main offering or if the bite is slow, use it as a trailer fly and hold on!
Sup, dude?

Fishon, I'll see if I can come up with some.

[catch&release]

I tie alot of size 12 , 14 and down to a 16 on a dry fly hook. I use small wire for the dubbing loop instead of thread, this gives the pattern alittle more weight and is very durable. This works great as a leach pattern in black with alittle read in it. I use the semi seal dubbing and tie them also in a light green or olive and also in silver. We call these crystal leaches or in the fry colors punk perch. We fish these under an indictor while midgeing and the leach or perch from a few feet above in the water column. When the fish chase shad up twards the top and see your perch fry or leach they react to it very aggresively. Its a great way to fish a stillwater that has alot of perch fry or leeches.

[Grizz]

Absolutely. You'd be surprised at how small and active small leeches are in lakes.....and the fish key on them. Small black, brown, olive, and even red. I've got a few patterns I'll have to show you sometime. And yes, the Hasbro is always in my box. It's the simplest pattern you'll ever tie. Again, I'll have to show it to you sometime soon. Just tie your normal leech patterns in smaller sizes and you'll do fine.

sounds like or similar to a Troth leech, a pattern I used to fish on the LP with much success. A #14 in light olive was a late spring / early summer staple. One of the simplest yet most effective patterns I've ever fished. Strip it, rip it or just dead drift it. In the fall, switch it up to red or purple & watch pre-spawn browns move 10' to get it. Very life-like, very seductive.

peace

[UtahFlyGuy]

I have had very good success with these smaller leech patterns on the middle as well. I usually fish a size 14 olive with a very short wrapped hackle. Killer I'm telling ya. I will usually dead drift them through a pool and slowly strip it back against the current. Sometimes swinging them thru a pool often triggers some aggresive strikes.

[Grizz]

I have had very good success with these smaller leech patterns on the middle as well. I usually fish a size 14 olive with a very short wrapped hackle. Killer I'm telling ya. I will usually dead drift them through a pool and slowly strip it back against the current. Sometimes swinging them thru a pool often triggers some aggresive strikes.

I hear ya, I've tweaked the pattern for my fall fishing on the MP. I'll up size to a 10 or 12, tie it off short & then spin a chartruse glo-bug on the end. I call it a Lemon Head, most call it an egg-sucking-leech. Brown/chartruse have been, by far, the most productive for me. It's amazing what can be done with one marabou feather & a lil' McFly foam.

peace

[UtahFlyGuy]

I hear ya, I've tweaked the pattern for my fall fishing on the MP. I'll up size to a 10 or 12, tie it off short & then spin a chartruse glo-bug on the end. I call it a Lemon Head, most call it an egg-sucking-leech. Brown/chartruse have been, by far, the most productive for me. It's amazing what can be done with one marabou feather & a lil' McFly foam.

peace

Nothing like spread'n the love around.