Streamers: Tying the Upside-Down Leech
The Upside-Down Leech is the fly up above, but down at the bottom.
The educational content in the latest E-List mailing was focused on streamer techniques, specifically “subtle streamers.” One of the flies mentioned was the Upside-Down Leech, which promptly elicited an e-mail asking, “What’s an Upside-Down Leech?” I also promised the E-List that I would add some content here on the blog to enhance the subtle streamer info. So, I guess the best place to begin on both fronts is a recipe for the “Upside-Down Leech,” courtesy of GB’s Designing Trout Flies (1991).
And for those with a bassin’ background, yes, this “fly” is indeed based on pig-n-jig-style rigging…something GB knows plenty about!
Note: Since this is 2009, not 1991, you may want to sub out the lead eyes for a “friendlier” heavy metal.
Sweet Pattern!
troutdawg—I think so, too. It catches all manner of fish, but has proven especially useful on big trout and bass (and similar fish). I grew up with a father who wasn’t afraid to mix the “quiet sport” with some old fashioned “meat fishing” tricks (like pig-and-jig-style streamers). As a result, I spent a fair portion of my youth slinging “big uglies.” Baetis they ain’t, but serious smallies don’t much care about Baetis…