LeechFlame Thrower Micro Leech
The Flame Thrower Micro Leech from BCFlyguys is a simple yet effective stillwater pattern utilizing UV Straggle (Brill UV) material. This micro leech takes advantage of the UV-reactive properties to create flash and attraction that triggers strikes from cruising trout in BC Interior lakes and similar stillwater environments.
Year Round
Beginner
Trout
Dec 2025
Overview
This BCFlyguys pattern demonstrates the effectiveness of UV-reactive materials in stillwater presentations. The Brill UV Straggle creates a translucent, flashy body that mimics the appearance of small leeches while providing additional attraction through UV reflection. The simple construction makes this an excellent pattern for tyers looking to quickly fill their stillwater box.
Materials
Hook: Scud or curved nymph hook, #12-14
Thread: Black or red, 8/0
Bead: Tungsten or brass bead, gold or copper
Body: Brill UV Straggle (Micro Straggle), flame/orange
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Juvenile leeches swim with exaggerated jerking motions in shallow water, their tiny bodies pulsing irregularly as they navigate weed edges and muddy shoals. The flame-orange UV straggle fibers mimic the translucent, protein-rich tissue of these micro prey items that trout encounter while cruising shoal margins in search of easy calories.
Where Trout Eat It: Trout cruise shallow shoals targeting juvenile leeches that hunt along muddy margins.
How to Fish It: Use slow 1-3 inch pulls with long pauses. Fish near bottom then gradually work higher in water column.
Best Water: Shoals and weed edges where micro leeches concentrate in productive 5-12 foot zones.
Strike Type: Takes arrive as confident thumps during the pause or sudden pulls mid-strip—the tungsten bead telegraphs strikes clearly through hand-twist retrieves and slow pulls.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Fish on 12-15 foot leader with 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet under a sensitive strike indicator. The small bead provides adequate weight for shoal presentations.
Seasonal Timing: effectiveness in BC Interior lakes and similar lake environments. Micro leeches are present throughout the year, making this a reliable searching pattern.
Pro Tips: The UV Straggle provides excellent visibility through UV reflection while the flame/orange coloration creates a distinctive attractor profile. The bead ensures proper sink rate for reaching cruising trout.
Entomology
Small juvenile leeches navigate shallow margins and shoal areas with jerky, start-stop swimming motions as they seek microscopic food sources. Trout feeding in these zones find micro leeches irresistible because they represent bite-sized, high-protein snacks that require virtually no pursuit energy.
- Organism Type
- leech
- Life Stage
- general