Twisted Mohair Leech

- By Bob Morenski

The Twisted Leech provides a large leech pattern which can be fished just below the surface.

I was fishing on Childs Lake in Manitoba in 2008 when I saw the biggest leech that I have ever seen in the water. The leech was not stretched out and was at least 10 inches long and no less than 3⁄4 of an inch wide. It made me rethink about the size leeches that I fish.

While goofing off at the vise this winter, I had a marvelous idea about how to make a big leech using the same technique that Rick Nelson demonstrated last winter to tie the Disco Minnow. I took some Canadian Brown Mohair, doubled it over, twisted the heck out of it and allowed the material to wrap back on it self. This was the same technique used by Rick using disco yarn (eyelash yarn) except you do not have to twist it as tight. I then tied the ends of the material on the hook. I then took a second strand of mohair wrapped it forward like a standard mohair leech and finished the head. The final touch was added by picking out using a tongue depressor with Velcro strip attached to the end. I was impressed by the results.

While I have not had the chance to fish the fly yet, I think that it will be a winner. It has all the makings of a good fly pattern. It is easy to tie, it matches a natural food source and it appears that it will have a nice undulating effect when fished. Besides trout, I think this fly will be a big hit on bass.

Materials:

Type	Notes
Hook	Heavy Wet Fly Hook Size 6
Thread	3/0 Monochord Color to Match the Mohair Yarn
Tail	Canadian Brown Mohair
Body	Canadian Brown Mohair
Head	If some flash is desired, a couple strands of Krystal Flash can be tied in at the head

Steps:

Type	Notes
1	Wrap thread around rear of hook.
2	Taking about 5 to 6 inches of mohair yarn, double it over and twist it. Double it again and allow it to wrap back on itself. (Note: the yarn does not have to be twisted as aggressively as you do when tying a Disco Minnow.)
3	Tie the twisted mohair in at the tail and cut off the excess.
4	Take another strand of mohair, tie it in and wrap it to the front of the hook.
5	Finish the head and pick out the entire body and tail with a dubbing tool.