Articulated Egg-Sucking Bunny Leech

Note: Articulated Leech patterns have gained in popularity recently due to their huge success in catching fish. The jointed hooks seem to add just the right natural action to this fly. For more information read Articulated Fly Patterns Where did they come from? How do you tie them?

Tying Directions
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Begin by tying joining the two hooks so they form an articulated joint. I do this with 30lb monofilament, tying each hook with a Snell Knot.

Add a drop of super glue to each knot to strengthen it.

Tie down the monofilament on the front hook, whip finish the thread, and add another drop op super glue.

The articulated hooks should now look something like this.

Start your tying thread on the rear hook and tie in a piece of zonker strip near the bend with about 1/2 trailing off the end.

Spiral the thread forward under the zonker strip to just behind the eye, then wrap the zonker strip forward stroking the fur back as it is wound. Tie off behind the eye, cut the thread and add a drop of cement

Repeat the same process for tying in the zonker strip on the front hook, but this time leave enough room for the head.

Tie in a set of dumbbell eyes in front of the zonker strip using figure eight turns of the thread.

Tie in a length of crystal chenille under the eye and wrap the thread forward. Wrap the chenille, behind the eyes, figure eights over the eyes, and in front of the eyes. Whip finish and add a drop of cement.

This fly can be tied in a variety of colors and variations to suit the conditions and your personal preferences. The dumbbell eyes are added here, basically to give it weight, but it can also be tied without the eyes. See the following flies for the patterns it was derived from. Egg Sucking Leech, Bunny Leech, Egg Sucking Bunny Leech, Minnie Leech.