Master the Art of Tying a Balanced Leech: Bruised (H/O Bead)

Balanced Leeches are a must-have pattern in any stillwater fly box. The Bruised version, black with blue highlights, is my favourite color. The addition of the hot orange bead is often a difference maker when compared to the original gold version.

Since I began tying balanced flies, my original materials and techniques have evolved, including bead colour, mounting the bead, integrating sequin pins and my preferred hook style.

Like most balanced flies, Balanced Leeches are often fished suspended beneath an indicator, typically from 1-3 above the bottom or weed tops. Balanced flies, such as my Bruised Leech, are also excellent choices to fish using cast and retrieve techniques coupled with a 4-6 strip pause retrieve.

Balanced Leech-Bruised (Hot Orange Bead)
Hook: Daiichi 4640 or 4647 #10
Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk, Black
Tail: Marabou, Black and Flashabou Ice Blue Pearl (#6904)
Body: Arizona Simi Seal, Black/Blue
Bead: Tungsten, 1/8" (3.0 MM), Fluorescent Orange, Chartreuse, Hot Pink or Gold
Pin Extension: Sequin Pin, Gold or Silver

Material Sources
Daiichi 4640 or 4647: https://www.canadianllama.com/daiichi...
Semperfli Nano Silk, Black: https://collabs.shop/4zzng7
Marabou, Black: https://collabs.shop/cxvq6f
Flashabou Ice Blue Pearl (#6904): https://collabs.shop/kupbgk
Arizona Simi Seal, Black/Blue: https://collabs.shop/xw1jvl
Tungsten, 1/8" (3.2 MM), Fluorescent Orange: https://www.canadianllama.com/tungste...
Sequin Pin, Gold or Silver: https://canada.michaels.com/en/search...

Tools and Other Gear
Regal Revolution Vise: https://collabs.shop/vgpf9y
Dr. Slick Dubbing Tool: https://collabs.shop/072nph
Dr. Slick Scissors: https://collabs.shop/iwx0ol
Hareline Ultimate Dubbing Brush: https://collabs.shop/8iffym
Brushable Superglue: https://amzn.to/409dLA8

Learn How to Fly Fish Lakes
Take my Stillwater Essentials Masterclass: https://anchoredoutdoors.com/2019/sti...
Learn how more about backswimmers and how to fish them through my Orvis Guide to Stillwater Trout Fishing: https://bit.ly/OrvisGuidetoStillwater...

Keep in Touch
Website: http://flycraftangling.com/
Join My Mailing List: http://bit.ly/2qmU2QL
Facebook: https://goo.gl/gYR2MB
Instagram: https://goo.gl/QVot5t
Twitter:   / flycraftphil