Strip Leech

Its a rainy Tuesday. Three days of rain in a row. ...and the moisture is so welcome. I hope it helps our water table.

I have encountered several throat samples this year that have contained leeches. Big leeches. Well, I rarely have stripped a big leech in the past but this year, I have made an effort to try this tactic. I have used an intermediate sinking line to cast and retrieve. I have been pleasantly surprised at my success and I have been more than glad to get away from watching a strike indicator.

The strip leech pattern that I designed is simple. It is basically pine squirrel tied on a hook. I doubt my pattern is unique and it is a fish catcher.

I have made a tutorial on how I tie it up.

Take a look!

Strip Leech

Hook: Daiichi 1760 size 8 (use your favourite streamer hook)

Bead: 1/8 (brass or tungsten) silver, gold, blue

Rib: silver wire, small (Optional step)

Body: Pine squirrel (black or brown)

Flash: Krinkle Mirror Flash, pearl (or your favourite flash)

Head: Pine squirrel

Collar: Black dubbing (optional)

Tie in your rabbit strip right behind the bead and add some flash!

This is an optional step. It can prevent the rabbit strip from fouling on the tip of the hook. If you do this step, then tie in silver wire first before installing pine squirrel. 

Clip 4 or 5 cm of pine squirrel, cut off the hid and make a dubbing loop; spin up the pine squirrel. Then wrap!

Create a dubbing loop and wrap onto the front of the hook to create a neat head. Keep it sparse! Add some dubbing to make the collar neat (optional step) and go fish!