Three flavors

[troutpocket]

…of old skool balanced leeches. Like all the usual suspects, they work. Except when they don’t

 

[Buzzy]

Very nice, Rod! "They work. Except when the don't" - I know what you mean.

 

[Paul_]

Nice!
What’s the blend on the middle fly? Firecracker?

 

[troutpocket]

Thanks. It’s Canadian black + a little something. My collection of dubbing supplies is deep

 

[dep]

olive baby!

 

[Islander]

Nice looking bugs. @iveofione was telling me about using the balanced leech under an indicator, is that how you fish them? Might have to give it a try.

 

[Wanative]

Nice looking bugs. @iveofione was telling me about using the balanced leech under an indicator, is that how you fish them? Might have to give it a try.

That is often effective.

 

[troutpocket]

Nice looking bugs. @iveofione was telling me about using the balanced leech under an indicator, is that how you fish them? Might have to give it a try.

Yes. I generally hang these beneath an indicator but they work however you like to fish leeches.

 

[TicTokCroc]

My lunch agrees

 

[Ronbow]

There is something out there about the Fall damsel migration. Hit it big once, and on Monday after several slow, though beauiful hours in fallvember, sank a balanced damsel 17' under indicator in 18'. Game on. 10 takedowns in short order. Gad it is fun when it all works. Worth a cigar......

 

[troutpocket]

@Ronbow I’ve hit good damsel bites in the fall as well. This pattern sometimes does the trick.

 

[dep]

looks like I need to up my game and add jig fishing to my arsenal.
question: when I buy the jig hooks, will they have the bead/weight already, or do I buy separate?

thx

 

[Paul_]

looks like I need to up my game and add jig fishing to my arsenal.
question: when I buy the jig hooks, will they have the bead/weight already, or do I buy separate?

thx

Not balanced, but gives you an idea of the jig fly-

 

[Buzzy]

looks like I need to up my game and add jig fishing to my arsenal.
question: when I buy the jig hooks, will they have the bead/weight already, or do I buy separate?

thx

Paul has given you a good idea on jig tying - do you remember the MYTH that tying your own would save you money? ;-) Good luck with your adventure into jig pattern tying. A few forum members have suggested jig patterns are just a trend or fad; I don't know about that but I will say they've accounted for a lot of fish to hand for this old guy.

 

[Billy]

@dep you buy a jig hook and a seperate slotted tungsten bead which you slide on

 

[Buzzy]

@dep you buy a jig hook and a seperate slotted tungsten bead which you slide on

And then call or text Billy to ask him which way the slotted bead goes on the hook................

 

[dep]

I'll start rounding up the supplies I need - mainly the hooks and nails.
thanks for all the feedback - great Forum!

 

[troutpocket]

I'll start rounding up the supplies I need - mainly the hooks and nails.
thanks for all the feedback - great Forum!

If you’re going to tie balanced leeches, straight pins with the metal ends work well. Slide a standard tungsten bead onto the pin and trim it down to fit the hook. The examples in this thread are #12 jig hooks with 2.8 mm tungsten beads on a pin. Phil Rowley has some good demos on YT.

Slotted beads work with Jig-style hooks, no pin required!

 

[Eastside]

…. do you remember the MYTH that tying your own would save you money? ;-)

Yes that can be true but it is WAY more fun and rewarding.

 

[Ronbow]

Here is what did the damage, actual fly. I tend to like them sparse. The buggy tail is a must. Indicator, 17' down, 3-5" strips to let it pulsate. Fish meal.