"DUH!" Moment

[FishnDave]

For a couple of summers in a row, Rick Z's unweighted Boa Yarn Leeches were THE PATTERN for my local fly-fishing success. I preferred the unweighted version, since I could fish it very slowly at night, and not have to be too concerned with it snagging up on the bottom.
Crappies, bluegills, bass, catfish, etc...LOVE this pattern! This past summer, I didn't catch nearly as many fish. Since I'm fishing the same waters, I assumed the fish had learned to avoid it. This still may be the case.
Late this past season, I began fishing microjigs like the Springbrook Wunder, and other weighted patterns like small Clouser Deep Minnow patterns. These worked extremely well.
The ponds are aging, and getting more weedbeds. The water has cleared somewhat, compared to a couple years ago. Judging by the fish I'm seeing and catching ice-fishing, there are still plenty of fish in the pond. Why wasn't I catching many this past summer?
I'm convinced the fish are frequenting deeper water than in the past, due the the improved water clarity. I can and probably will try fishing with weighted patterns to get deeper and hopefully catch more fish next year. I will probably also use a strike indicator when it is still light enough to see it, so I can fish deeper, but still provide a slow presentation.
So...my big DUH moment came with realizing I should just take Rick Z's advice and put a good ol' bead on the front of the Boa Yarn Leech to get it to fish deeper. Rick does this. I have tied a few of these up in the past, but didn't really use them much, since the unweighted worked so well. Its not a new pattern, just one I need to utilize more to fit my particular circumstances.

[Panman]

Rick's boa flies have also became one of my favorites for crappie & yellow perch. I found my success improved when I placed a Czech Glass bead on the head of the fly. I like a glass bead over a metal one because of the variety of colors and they are cheaper. Thumps up to Rick for putting us onto Boa Yarn and to his helpful writings which appear most every week on fAOL.

Tim

[FishnDave]

Thats very interesting, Tim. Where do you buy those, and is the glass nearly as heavy as the metal beadheads?

[Panman]

Dave: The weight would depend on what type of metal bead you are using. But generally speaking I think they are lighter. I have not purchased any for several years as a Michaels store had a fantastic sale on them and I really loaded up. I did a quick check and found some on EBay. However I would check Michaels & JoAnn's fabric to start with. As I remember I use size 6/0 on larger hooks and 8/0 on smaller ones.

Here is a picture of a pattern I want to try this summer using a clear Czech Glass Bead.

Hope this helps. Tim

[Bluegill222]

I've been playing with bead chain eyes on the Boa Leech and having good luck as well.

[FishnDave]

Oh yeah! Ok Tim, I do have some of those. Amber, red, and clear (all silver-lined like the one in your picture).

BG222, I've tied a few with beadchain eyes. I think in a brown or black color, the broad head gives it a look like a pretty good imitation of a baby bullhead, or possibly a super-easy sculpin. I make a wrap or two ahead of the beadchain eyes for that, so the boa yarn fibers ahead of the beadchain sort of flares out a bit, giving it that broader silhouette when seen from below. If a longer pattern is desired, you can tie on a marabou tail first.

[WarrenP]

Remember that you could also wrap the hook shank with weighted wire, either lead or non-lead, before wrapping the Boa Yarn on the shank. This would still give the same look you have been tying but weighted and you would not have to worry about any damage to the rod if you should strike the rod with the fly on the cast. Just a thought.....

[greenlantern]

If you go to a key and lock store, you can find beadchain in many colors.

[FishnDave]

Good tips, fellas!

[Buddy Sanders]

For a slow presentation in deeper water with the Boa Yarn type of fly, try weighting it at the REAR of the hook shank.

A bead, or several tight and stacked wraps of lead wire, or bead chain, or even small lead dumbbell eyes placed on the shank just above the hook barb will change how the fly drops between strips. Rather than drop head first or level, it will tend to slide back just a bit then drop tail first. This will give you a slower overall presentation at the same 'retrieve speed'.

Bass and bluegills seem to particularly like the action created by this type of weighting.

It's also how you want to weight this type of fly for a more vertical presentation, like fishing against a weed line or along sunken brush or such. A fly weighted in this manner doesn't pendulum back towards you as much as a head or mid body weighted fly does.

Buddy