The Down & Dirty Leech
Here’s a really great fly that is super fast to tie and super effective in stream or lake. It’s nothing but a hair collar. In this case, I’ve tied it in black so that the steps are easy to see. it can be tied in any color(s) that one desires and thus become a Down and Dirty Minnow, a Down and Dirty Popsicle, and several other interesting flies—more on those variations in futures pages.
Use whatever hook you like. This fly is illustrated on a Targus 300 hook, but I also tie it on salmon hooks, saltwater hooks, and so on.
1. Wrap the first third of the hook shank with thread and form a spinning loop (which see).
Step One for the Down and Dirty Leech
2. Insert a clump of FoxxFurr™ or similar hair into the loop. Position the hair so that it is at right angles to the thread and so that the thread is about 14 inch from the butt ends of the hair.
Step Two for the Down and Dirty Leech.
3. Spin the loop very tight and then lightly brush out the hair so that it forms a 3-D hackle.
Step Three for the Down and Dirty Leech.
4. Wind the 3-D hackle forward, stroking the fibers back after each wrap so they are not trapped by the following wrap. The finished fly has tremendous action in the water and a dense head that gives it a good acoustic footprint.
The finished Down and Dirty Leech, ready to rip a big one.
Great tie Gary!
I like a good minimalist fly and this one fits the bill.
Many thanks. Watch for some really interesting variations coming soon.
Best, GB