Overview
Using the balanced fly technique popularized by Jerry McBride, a sewing pin extended forward off the hook shank carries a black nickel tungsten bead, counterbalancing the fly so it rides level in the water instead of hanging vertically like a standard beadhead pattern. The black marabou tail, accented with black Krystal Flash, pulses with the take-up of the pin, while a dubbing loop packed with Midnight Fire Ice Dub and black Simi Seal builds a full, sparkling body that pushes water like natural leech undulations. The midnight fire color combination gives the fly a dark silhouette with flashes of color that show through under an indicator, making it effective for stillwater trout year-round.
Related patterns
Behavior & presentation
- Natural Behavior
- Leeches suspend horizontally in the water column with gentle undulations, bodies elongating and contracting. They pause frequently in motionless hangs before resuming rhythmic pulsing movements between vegetation and open water.
- Where Trout Eat It
- Trout intercept this pattern in mid-water zones of reservoirs where the pin-balanced design suspends horizontally at cruising depth. Fish patrol drop-offs at 7-15 feet as the midnight fire dubbing creates subtle flash without alarming wary cruisers.
- How to Fish It
- Suspend under adjustable indicator 4-6 feet above the leech, allowing wave action to provide jigging motion. Retrieve with slow 2-3 inch pulsing strips mimicking undulating leech swimming. The pin maintains horizontal posture during critical pauses when strikes occur.
- Best Water
- Concentrate on drop-offs where shoals transition to deeper water at Strawberry Reservoir. The balanced design excels over shelf structures and along channel edges where trout cruise looking up at horizontally-suspended prey silhouettes between 7-15 feet.
- Strike Type
- Feel for solid weight and steady pressure during pauses—fish grip the fly and swim deliberately away.
Fishing strategy
- Rigging Suggestions
- Fish on 12-15 foot leader with 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet under an adjustable strike indicator. Set depth to match where fish are cruising and adjust throughout the day as fish move.
- Seasonal Timing
- lake effectiveness with peak performance during periods when trout actively feed on leeches. The balanced presentation works particularly well during challenging conditions.
- Pro Tips
- The midnight fire Ice Dub provides subtle flash that attracts fish without alarming them. The black nickel bead and black materials create a distinct silhouette visible to fish from below.
Entomology
Leeches suspend in the water column with gentle swimming undulations, their bodies elongating and contracting as they navigate between vegetation and open water. They pause frequently in horizontal postures, hanging motionless before resuming their rhythmic pulsing movements. Fish consume leeches readily because these blood-feeding invertebrates are rich in nutrients, move slowly enough for easy capture, and their dark silhouettes stand out visually against lighter backgrounds in lakes and ponds.
- Organism
- leech
- Life stage
- general
Pattern details
- Stillwater
- Rocky Mountain
- active-retrieve
- strip-retrieve