Tying Note:  Use two contasting colors of marabou for the tail and aftershaft feathers for the body to create a mottled body to match the varigated look of a natural leech.

My fly box is a combination of two themes, one somewhat bright and attractive the other dull and subdued a kind of night before morning after approach if you will. The brighter side of the ledger comes into play when trout are dour and in need of a jump-start or water conditions such as those in algae stained waters demand a degree of attraction. When plying clear waters a subtle and imitative approach is often the key to success along with those waters whose trout have become wary under the duress of angler pressure.

Fashioned completely out of dull supple materials the Aftershaft Leech pulses and breaths during the decent be prepared for takes on the drop. Numerous color combinations are possible by mixing and matching various aftershaft feathers. Dyed pheasant rump is the most consistent source of these unique feathers. The Aftershaft Leech is an ideal candidate for clear waters and cautious trout as once it becomes saturated it is a dead ringer for the slender slimy two to three inch leeches trout prefer.

Despite their blindness leeches are confident swimmers moving through the water in a ribbon like manner. Ten to fifteen wraps of .010" lead wire substitute wrapped under the body provides a natural pitching motion to the fly. During the heat of summer they become increasingly active and it is common to see leeches cruising boldly through open water. Favorite leech retrieves ranging from the pace of an almost chironomid like retrieve to a steady four or twelve-inch strip. Experiment until the trout decide which retrieve meets with their approval.

Tying Instructions