Simi Seal Leech
Throughout the years I have been fortunate enough to fish most
of the west as well as some of the great stillwaters of Canada. One
pattern that has worked for me consistently is a leech pattern. Whether
you are on one of the large river systems, smaller creeks or one of
the great stillwater fisheries, a leech will take fish.
I have tied flies for over thirty five years and I still love it. But as much as
I love creating patterns, I love fishing them more. So durability is an
important component of one of my patterns. The Simi Seal leech is
almost indestructible. There is nothing to break and the more the fish
chew on it . . . the better it fishes. Arizona Simi Seal is one of
my products and came about as a one step material to tie leeches. The
material has several different flashy materials blended with mohair to give
the fly life like qualities. The trick I found was adding enough flash to
attract fish but not too much to spook them in clear water conditions.
Tie some up and give them a try. Use your imagination and come up
with something altogether different. That is the beauty of tying your
own patterns. I am constantly amazed with what other tyers come up
with using some of my materials. I always wonder why I didn’t think
of that.
Here is how I tie it.
Materials
Hook: 2x-3x nymph hook of choice.
Bead: Color of choice matched to hook size.
Thread: 6/0 matching Arizona Simi Seal color.
Tail: Arizona Simi Seal color of choice.
Body: Arizona Simi Seal color of choice.
Ribbing: Wire color of choice.
Originally published October 2, 2000 on Fly Anglers Online.