LeechBrent's Vampire Leech
Brent's Vampire Leech is a stillwater pattern designed for aggressive trout in lakes and reservoirs. The striking combination of chartreuse bead and purple UV polar chenille creates a high-visibility attractor pattern that draws strikes from fish feeding on leeches. The black rabbit zonker tail provides lifelike movement while the purple chenille body adds bulk and UV flash.
Year Round
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Sport Fishing on the Fly pattern showcases an attractor-style leech that excels in stillwater situations where visibility is key. The chartreuse bead serves as a highly visible hot spot while the purple UV polar chenille creates a bulky profile with built-in UV flash. The black rabbit zonker tail provides the movement that makes leech patterns so effective. The color combination may seem unconventional but has proven deadly on stillwater trout.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Mustad 3XL Streamer Hook, #8
Thread: Danville 140 Denier, black
Bead: Tasty Tackle Bead, 1/8", chartreuse
Tail: Rabbit Zonker fur, black
Body: UV Polar Chenille, purple, large
Fishing Tips
Season
Year-round stillwater effectiveness with particular strength during overcast days and low-light conditions when the UV properties of the polar chenille become more effective.
Presentation
Fish under a strike indicator or use a slow strip retrieve to activate the rabbit tail and chenille fibers. The pattern works well suspended at depth or actively stripped through the water column.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fish are actively feeding and responding to attractor patterns. Excellent choice when standard black or olive leeches are being refused and something different is needed to trigger strikes.
Water Type
Designed specifically for stillwater fishing in lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. Most effective over shoals, along weed edges, and near drop-offs at depths of 6-20 feet.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on 9-12 foot leader with 3X-4X fluorocarbon tippet. The weighted bead provides adequate sink rate for most stillwater presentations. Can be fished under an indicator for suspended fish or stripped for actively feeding trout.
Visibility & Floatation
The chartreuse bead provides a highly visible attractor point while the purple UV polar chenille creates a bulky profile with enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. The black rabbit tail adds contrast and movement.
