Bloody Black Leech

The Bloody Black Leech is a large, weighted streamer pattern that's designed to imitate a leech. The combination of black and red can trigger aggressive strikes from predatory fish.

Bloody Black Leech fly pattern - imitates Leeches tied for Trout, Bass
  • Advanced
  • Fall, Spring
  • Trout, Bass
  • Size 8–10

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The Bloody Black Leech is a large, weighted streamer pattern that's designed to imitate a leech. The combination of black and red can trigger aggressive strikes from predatory fish.

More Leeches

See all
Herman's LeechIntermediatePumpkin HeadBeginnerWired LeechIntermediateBalanced Blank Saver - Midnight FireAdvancedBalanced Leather LeechAdvanced

Materials

Hook
Tiemco 5263, size #8-#10
Thread
Black UTC 140
Tail
Black marabou
Body
Black chenille
Ribbing
Red wire
Hackle
Black saddle hackle
Head
Copper Bead

Overview

Tied with a black marabou tail and a body of black dubbing or chenille, this leech imitation adds a hot red or blood-colored collar to grab attention. Use a heavy nymph or streamer hook and optional bead or conehead for depth. The movement of marabou and the contrast from the hotspot make it effective in stillwater or off-color conditions.

Related patterns

Beatdown Micro LeechBrent's Vampire LeechBrown Twilite LeechHerman's LeechBalanced Blank Saver - Midnight FireBalanced Leather Leech

Behavior & presentation

Natural Behavior
Leeches undulate through the water with ribbon-like swimming motions, alternating between resting on bottom structure and resuming nocturnal hunting patterns across open water.
Where Trout Eat It
Fish strike opportunistically during active swimming phases, recognizing these substantial biomass targets as high-calorie meals worth pursuing.
How to Fish It
Slow strips with pauses to imitate the distinctive undulating motion, allowing the pattern to glide and settle between movements.
Best Water
Target weed edges, drop-offs, structure zones, and channel swings in lakes where leeches cross open areas during hunting movements.
Strike Type
Aggressive strikes during retrieves as fish commit to the substantial target, often feeling like solid thumps or pulls.

Fishing strategy

Rigging Suggestions
This fly can be used on a sinking line or with a floating line and a long leader to get it down deep.
Seasonal Timing
Effective during peak feeding periods when water temperatures and conditions support active feeding behavior.
Pro Tips
The Bloody Black Leech is a sinking pattern, the bead head helps get it down to the depth where fish are feeding.

Entomology

Leeches undulate through stillwater with a distinctive ribbon-like swimming motion, often resting on bottom structure or vegetation before resuming nocturnal hunting patterns. Their substantial biomass and vulnerability during active swimming phases trigger opportunistic feeding responses from trout, who recognize them as high-calorie targets worth the energy expenditure to pursue.

Organism
leech
Life stage
general

Pattern details

  • Stillwater
  • Worldwide
  • active-retrieve
  • strip-retrieve
  • high-water