Balanced vs Standard Leech Under Indicators

[Lue Taylor]

Went back to same lake that I caught that fish on a balance leech went 12/20 three small fish rest between 3-5 lb only fish I caught on a wet line start bleeding in the net had to keep give to neighbor

 

[Billy]

I nearly always have either a true balanced leech or, more likely lately, a jigged leech as one of 2 flies under a bobber. Even when the mids are hot.
One aspect that I'm not sure I've seen in this great thread yet is the jig hooks lose way less fish than balanced hooks. Not sure why, but a good jig hook stuck in the snout ain't coming out. I think something with the balanced hooks somehow makes for either less sure hookups or an actual prybar effect on the hook. Anyone else notice this?

I still have about 20 balanced leeches, mostly bruised or reddish brown) in my box, but all new ones purchased or tied are on jig hooks. Love the Ahrex and Hanak jig hooks. Tough as nails and sharp.

You can tie chironomids on a jig hook. They sell slotted white beads or what ever you want. And they work. I haven't played around with them a ton though.

Would be interesting to dial in a chironomid bite and dangle the exact same jig chironomid vs regular

 

[Billy]

I love threads like this when we all are pondering different shit at once. I learn a lot from everyone and the thread is sort of like my mind.

 

[Lue Taylor]

I like using Jig hooks 70% of the time the fly pops out in the net after landing

 

[mcswny]

 

[Buzzy]

You can tie chironomids on a jig hook. They sell slotted white beads or what ever you want. And they work. I haven't played around with them a ton though.

Would be interesting to dial in a chironomid bite and dangle the exact same jig chironomid vs regular

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One morning Darc and I anchored up at the north end of Lake Lenore's west rock slope. We both were fishing a size 16 black "ice cream cone" ribbed with a fine silver wire. Game on! Fish after fish for both of us. We invited Engee to join us the next morning and told him what to tie. He skipped (forgot, the DA) the wire ribbing and of course, we mocked him for forgetting the ribbing. So - the next morning, all of us fishing size 16 black ice cream cones watched Engee hook fish after fish as our two bobbers never bobbed. We had our three bobbers within feet of each other. Huh. To this day I want to believe that somehow that wire ribbing made the difference. But I think the truth is our mocking him gave us bad karma.

 

[skyriver]

One morning Darc and I anchored up at the north end of Lake Lenore's west rock slope. We both were fishing a size 16 black "ice cream cone" ribbed with a fine silver wire. Game on! Fish after fish for both of us. We invited Engee to join us the next morning and told him what to tie. He skipped (forgot, the DA) the wire ribbing and of course, we mocked him for forgetting the ribbing. So - the next morning, all of us fishing size 16 black ice cream cones watched Engee hook fish after fish as our two bobbers never bobbed. We had our three bobbers within feet of each other. Huh. To this day I want to believe that somehow that wire ribbing made the difference. But I think the truth is our mocking him gave us bad karma.

Guess he gave you a little ribbing.

Just goes to show you how thin the line can be between a great day and a skunking. And it can change from one day to the next as well. Not sure who is dumber...us or the fish.

 

[skyriver]

You can tie chironomids on a jig hook. They sell slotted white beads or what ever you want. And they work. I haven't played around with them a ton though.

Would be interesting to dial in a chironomid bite and dangle the exact same jig chironomid vs regular

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So funny you mention this. I've literally started tying my mids on jig hooks THIS week. In fact, I ordered some #12 & 14 Ahrex from Big Y Fly, but the 14s are back ordered. And I only ordered them because the Hanaks were already sold out.

Stop buying up all the jig hooks Billy!

 

[Tom Butler]

So funny you mention this. I've literally started tying my mids on jig hooks THIS week. In fact, I ordered some #12 & 14 Ahrex from Big Y Fly, but the 14s are back ordered. And I only ordered them because the Hanaks were already sold out.

Stop buying up all the jig hooks Billy!

I started using the Fulling Mills hooks because Hanaks were seemingly always out. They are sharp, strong and trustworthy hooks also.

 

[Paul_]

Podcast on the history of the balanced leech-
https://wetflyswing.com/history-and-tying-techniques-of-balanced-flies-with-jerry-mcbride/