Overview

The Balanced Leather Leech is a Matt Winkler design, tied by Umpqua, for stillwater trout fished under an indicator. Winkler is an Umpqua signature tyer from the Southern Rockies.

A balanced fly hangs horizontally under an indicator instead of hanging nose-down. That is how a real leech swims, so it looks natural while it sits still or moves with the wind and waves. Winkler uses an extended tungsten bead on a pin and a jig hook to get that balance. The tail is ultra-suede, carefully chosen for color and thickness, which gives a slim, tapered, undulating leech profile, and a slim simi seal dubbing body adds flash and movement.

Euro Specs

• Bead: Tungsten.
• Role: Balanced indicator fly; not intended as a tight-line anchor.

How to Fish It

• Under an indicator: set the depth so the fly hangs just above weeds or a foot or two off the bottom.
• Let the wind work: a light chop rocks the indicator and gives the fly subtle life.
• Slow twitch: give it an occasional slow pull to make the ultra-suede tail undulate.
• Where: drop-offs, weed edges and shoals in lakes and reservoirs, spring through fall.

Choosing Color and Size

Olive and Peacock are natural, everyday colors. Black / Red and Purple give a dark silhouette for low light or stained water, and Black / Chartreuse adds a bright contrast when fish need help finding it. All come in size 10.