Acrylic Leech

The beauty of having a good selection of leech patterns is the ability to fish them anywhere. Granted the majority of the time these patterns are tied thin and reserved for still or slow moving waters, but when tied proportionately in forage colors, they can be used in fast waters, too! That's right, olive and brown or combinations of these two colors make for wonderful crayfish or sculpin patterns.

The name Acrylic Leech comes from the type of yarn used in it's construction.  Ah... good 'ol yarn might be one of the most under-utilized tying material in present day circles. and rightfully so.   There are so many other options available to tiers it has become mind numbing.  

There are a lot of different manufacturers of 100-percent acrylic yarn, but the best comes from Yarnology due to iridescence and very fine fibers making for unparalleled movement.  Yarnology craft yarn is available in 35-colors (earth tones and vivid fluorescents) and comes on a 20-yard card.   The only down fall is the lack of an olive color, but white can be easily dyed in various shades following the Rit's color formula guide.   Hobby Lobby occasionally has this yarn on sale for 69-cents per card- stock up!

Here's a great chance to get creative with different color combinations of yarn and Angler Hair.  

Materials:

Hook:  Daiichi 1260 (or choice), sizes 4-12

Bead:  Choice 

Thread:  Match body color (Shown is 10/0 Veevus)

Tail:  Marabou (color to match body materials)

Body:  50/50 mixure of dark red and black acrylic yarn highlighted with Angel Hair (black light).

Step 1:

Pinch barb with vise.  Place bead on hook and secure hook.  Start thread behind bead and advance rearward.  Just before hook point make and secure a dubbing loop.

Step 2:

Select marabou plume.  Draw longer fibers away from tip section, cut and discard.

Step 2a:

Draw a small amount of longer fibers back to the natural position to even tips and tie in.  Tail length is approximately one hook length.

Removing the stem allows the marabou to move more freely in the water.

Step 3:

Sparingly place premixed dubbing in the dubbing loop.  

To make the dubbing cut 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch lengths of yarn and blend together in a coffee grinder. Once thoroughly blended, add Angel Hair and mix by hand or simply add a few strands as you apply dubbing inside of the loop.

The addition of Angel Hair truly makes this fly!  Not only does it add a little extra flash, but as gives an excellent "hackle" appearance.

Step 3a:

Twist loop to form a chenille.   Make close wraps forward while drawing fibers rearwards.  All fibers should standout as pictured.

Step 4:

Lightly brush fibers rearward.  Apply head cement to the first inch of thread and whip finish.

Enjoy!