StreamersEgg Sucking Leech

The Egg Sucking Leech is a classic streamer pattern that's been proven effective for many species. It's essentially a Woolly Bugger with a brightly colored bead at the head, which mimics an egg. This attracts predatory fish that are looking for a high-protein meal.

Season
Spring, Fall
Difficulty
Beginner
Target Species
Trout, Steelhead
Egg Sucking Leech - Image source: Orvis
Image source: Orvis

Overview

A proven attractor streamer, this pattern combines a long black rabbit or marabou body with a fluorescent orange or pink bead or dubbed “egg” at the head. The contrast of dark body and bright head draws aggressive strikes from trout, salmon, and bass.

Pattern Characteristics

Beginner Difficulty
Trout, Steelhead
Moving Water
Stillwater
Spring
Fall
Imitates: Leeches, Eggs
Variant of: Woolly Bugger

Materials

Hook: Tiemco 5263, #4-#10
Bead: Bead, 1/8-inch, fluorescent fire orange.
Thread: 6/0 or 140 Denier, brown.
Tail: Dark-brown marabou blood quill.
Body: SLF Prism dubbing, chocolate brown.

Fishing Tips

Season

Spring and Fall

Presentation

You can present this fly with a dead drift, swing, or strip retrieve. It's versatile and effective in many different situations.

When to Use

This fly is highly effective during spawning season when predatory fish are actively searching for eggs. It's also a great choice when fish are holding deep and need a tempting meal to get them to move.

Water Type

This fly is effective in both moving and still water. It's a great choice for rivers, streams, and lakes.

Rigging Suggestions

Use a sink tip or weighted line to get this fly down deep where the big fish are feeding.

Visibility & Floatation

This fly is intended to sink. The brightly colored bead makes it highly visible in a variety of water conditions, while the marabou tail gives it a lifelike swimming action.

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