How To Tie: Night Leach

This fly, created by my dad, Steve Probasco, has become my “go to” leach pattern – especially in the evening hours. Not only is this fly good for trout, but when tied in a variety of colors; brown, blue, purple, red, etc., it is a great smallmouth bass fly too.

As Steve writes in his book “Probasco’s Favorite Northwest Flies“:

When the body material Estaz hit the market, I started tying leech patterns using this innovative material for the body of my favorite leach patterns. Fishing during darkness, a few of my buddies finned side-by-side in their boats. We were all using leech patterns, but those of us who were using leeches tied with Estaz for the body out-fished the leaches tied with more conventional body materials. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Numerous outings under the same circumstances proved to us that, at least at night, leeches tied with Estaz for the body outproduced all others…hands down!

For trout, this fly should be fished very slowly along the bottom, in a “leech like” fashion.

Materials

Hook: Daiichi 1750, sizes 4-8
Thread: Black monocord
Tail: Black marabou
Body: Black Estaz
Overbody: Black bunny strip
Hackle: Dyed black pheasant rump

Step 1:

Secure marabou to hook. Leave a 6-inch piece of tying thread at the butt of the fly.

Step 2:

Tie in a 4″ piece of black Estaz, wind forward, and capture.

Step 3:

Tie in a piece of black bunny strip at the head, then weave the tying thread left at the butt of the fly through the hair, securing the bunny strip “Matuka style”.

Step 4:

Tie in a dyed black pheasant rump feather in front of the secured bunny strip and wind forward 2 turns.

Step 5:

Finish head and cement to complete the Night Leach.