The floating leech was one of my first patterns I learned to tie. It is a great beginner pattern and an even better producer. Give these a try on the vise and throw them at your favorite fishing hole. You won't be disappointed. I tie these in all sorts of colors
Yellow/Black Floating Leech
Hook: Mustad 9671 #6
Thread: Black UTC 140
Tail: Yellow Marabou with Gold Widow Flash
Body: Yellow Chenille
Hackle: Brown Saddle
Shell Back: Black 2mm Foam
I use Fly Tyers Dungeon Gold Widow Flash mixed in with the tail. It is a cool synthetic mixed with gold flashabou
I have a couple of these cheaper brown saddles that I use for the hackle. They are perfect for buggers or anything that needs a little bigger hackle.
Start your thread and tie in the tail and flash. The tail should be the length of the shank.
Tie in your hackle and then the chenille. On the body of this fly I really don't care about keeping an even taper. It really doesn't matter nor effects its performance.
Cut your foam and the length is up to you. I always make it a little longer so I have room to work with. The width should be from the hook point to the shank. Then cut it into an arrow shape.
That arrow shape is where you tie it in. Make sure to pull the foam to the front of the eye to make sure you wont have any thread wraps behind the foam at the tail. Once that is tied in then put some super glue over the all the tie in areas. I do this because if you don't the foam will tend to move around on the hook.
Wrap your chenille and tie off. Next wrap your hackle over the chenille. I usually do 6 wraps but it all depend the length of the shank. Clean up the head and add a little bit of cement.
Pull the foam to the front. Don't make it really tight. Leave it a little loose. You can trim the hackle on top but I just pull it right over the top. Once that is tied in cut the front foam to about a 1/5th of the hook shank. Whip finish and add cement, then you are done!! Simple tie and a lip ripper. Give this one a try and see for yourself.
