How to Tie a Black Leech Fly

The black leech fly is a larger fly pattern that is designed to imitate a leech in nature. The leech pattern is particularly productive when fly fishing for salmon. The black leech fly pattern is available for purchase from fly shops and online distributors. However, it is not a complicated pattern. The black leech does not require an enormous number of steps to tie successfully.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly-tying vise
  • Black thread
  • #3 hook
  • 1/4-inch magnum black rabbit fur strip
  • Scissors
  • Flash sparkle strip
  • Mono flash rainbow
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a #3 hook in the jaws of a fly-tying vise. Secure the bend of the hook in the jaws of the vise with the shank on top.

    • 2

      Wrap black fly-tying thread around the shank of the hook just above the bend. Make several turns of the thread around the hook shank.

    • 3

      Attach a 3- to 4-inch-long strip of flash sparkle to the shank of the hook. Hold the flash sparkle with one end at the point where the thread is wrapped around the hook shank with the remainder of the flash extending up toward the hook eye. Secure the flash sparkle to the shank with several turns of thread.

    • 4

      Hold the flash sparkle out to the side of the hook and wrap the thread up toward the hook eye to cover the hook shank. Let the thread hang down below the hook at this point.

    • 5

      Wrap the flash sparkle tightly around the shank of the hook and work it up toward the eye of the hook. Stop the wraps 1/4 inch below the eye of the hook. Tie off the flash sparkle with several turns of black thread and trim the flash sparkle flush with scissors.

    • 6

      Pinch several strands of mono flash rainbow between your fingers. Cut the mono flash 1 1/2 inches long with scissors. Place the cut end of the mono flash on top of the hook shank just below the hook eye. Secure the mono flash with several turns of black thread.

    • 7

      Cut a 1 1/2-inch-long strip of black magnum rabbit fur from the strip with scissors. Place the cut end of the magnum rabbit fur on top of the mono flash and secure it in place with several wraps of black thread. Raise the mono flash and magnum fur and pass the thread underneath every third or fourth turn to form a secure connection.

    • 8

      Finish the black leech by wrapping the black thread several more times around the shank just below the hook eye to secure the tied materials. Tie the thread off and trim it closely with scissors. Apply a coat of head cement to the thread for protection.