Retrieving balanced leeches in still water

[the_grube]

How many if any of you are retrieving balanced leeches in stillwater? Do you tie those patterns any differently than you would for under an indicator? Thanks in advance.
Erich

 

[SurfnFish]

 

[Billy]

I religiously use jig style off heavy sinks. Not full balanced.

 

[Cowlitz Bottomfeeder]

I’ve been using a 60 degree jig hooks and 5/32 or 3/16 slotted beads. Works both ways and easier to tie than those troublesome pins. And the body is shorter. The ones in the pic are plain round beads.

 

[Buzzy]

I utilize all of these: twitch, slow strip, jerk, let sit still, swing in the breeze. But mostly I unbalanced leech type flies on jig hooks now.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

I’m the same as Buzzy, hopefully the fish will let you know which retrieve they prefer…..mix it up! Mine are under an indicator.

 

[the_grube]

cool, a quick 'net search I did made it sound as if retrieving a balanced leech on a tight line (no bobber) was rare. I'm looking for an edge on educated stillwater trout by getting that that up and down action and activate the maribou tail ( and hopefully the trout ).

 

[SurfnFish]

I usually forego indicator leeches in glassy conditions, prefer 'indicating' bloodworms/chironomids or dangle a #18 Dark Assassin or similar beneath a floater like a Hippie Stomper. Once the wind kicks up a bit out comes the leech patterns.

 

[Buzzy]

cool, a quick 'net search I did made it sound as if retrieving a balanced leech on a tight line (no bobber) was rare. I'm looking for an edge on educated stillwater trout by getting that that up and down action and activate the maribou tail ( and hopefully the trout ).

@Cowlitz Bottomfeeder's beadhead jigs will give you that up n down action and the tail action (nice ties, man!)....... Mr. @Billy fishes his jigs on a full sinking line and I've seen him CRUSH fish that way.

 

[Paul_]

I do it all the time. I don’t tie them any different from when I bobber fish with them.
I do use offset beads now, instead of a pin and bead.
I’m looking forward to stripping this one on a slow sink line.

 

[Buzzy]

I do it all the time. I don’t tie them any different from when I bobber fish with them.
I do use offset beads now, instead of a pin and bead.
I’m looking forward to stripping this one on a slow sink line.
View attachment 162659

Paul - what's the tail material?

 

[Paul_]

Paul - what's the tail material?

I raided my wife’s craft stuff.
It’s just ribbon.

 

[Buzzy]

I raided my wife’s craft stuff.
It’s just ribbon.
View attachment 162663

Thanks! That's a wicked looking leech!

 

[Wetswinger]

cool, a quick 'net search I did made it sound as if retrieving a balanced leech on a tight line (no bobber) was rare. I'm looking for an edge on educated stillwater trout by getting that that up and down action and activate the maribou tail ( and hopefully the trout ).

I use balanced leech without an indicator all the time. Floating line, long leader, slow retrieve. Just enough line tension to feel the take. Using a loop knot allows the leech to bob up and down. Here’s a video. Just use a leech instead..

 

[Buzzy]

I use balanced leech without an indicator all the time. Floating line, long leader, slow retrieve. Just enough line tension to feel the take. Using a loop knot allows the leech to bob up and down. Here’s a video. Just use a leech instead..

Dan -
Thanks for sharing the link. I was fishing that same lake one day anchored up about where Mr. Chan is and having a dreadful day. The usual array weren't paying off. A local moved up across the lake from me and began fishing using the naked technique and did quite well. I didn't have the chutzpah to ask him about his fly and presentation but Herb Superb didn't hesitate. The successful angler was fishing a caddis pupae naked.

I do use the naked technique from time to time but the 25% leader length to bottom depth isn't something I have considered. Huh! Instead I have always just removed either my Iracator™ or my Seegercator™ from my long leader and fished naked (quite often with good results).

Pat

 

[the_grube]

Here's one that I tied up. The picture makes the dubbing look fuller than natural light. It balances nicely and passes the hot tub swim test... nice up and down swimmy action. The pins are a PITA to work with but I already had some and the non-slotted tungsten beads. Gonna tie up 2 sizes and 3 colors for my Diamond lake trip later this month.

 

[Islander]

…….The successful angler was fishing a caddis pupae naked.
I do use the naked technique from time to time……..

Pat

I tried fishing naked once, it just seemed to scare the fish away. On the plus side, no one came close and tried to steal my spot.

 

[the_grube]

I tried fishing naked once, it just seemed to scare the fish away. On the plus side, no one came close and tried to steal my spot.

Fly fishing and playing cymbals in the orchestra are two things that should not be done nekked for health reasons if not for good taste.

 

[SurfnFish]

Here's one that I tied up. The picture makes the dubbing look fuller than natural light. It balances nicely and passes the hot tub swim test... nice up and down swimmy action. The pins are a PITA to work with but I already had some and the non-slotted tungsten beads. Gonna tie up 2 sizes and 3 colors for my Diamond lake trip later this month.
View attachment 162887prefer the pin

that dude will hunt....prefer the pin BL's as the straighter outline is more 'leechy' and they can be balanced perfectly. with a little effort.

 

[chrome/22]

Just watched a Brian Chan video, I'm going to try his slip bobber approach on my outing next week. The trick will be guessing the depth correctly as I don't have a depth finder on my watermaster, I'll have to do it visually

Already have a dozen of his favorite balanced ruby eyed leech and new fluorocarbon in 3x & 5x

For the leader was just thinking of about 10' of ultragreen to a tiny barrel swivel as a stopper for the bobber then the fluorocarbon to the bug