LeechJiggy Hot Head Mini Leech
The Jiggy Hot Head Mini Leech combines the proven Mini Leech design with a jig hook and brightly colored tungsten bead. The holographic tinsel body adds flash while the pine squirrel wing provides natural movement. The hot-colored bead serves as both weight and attractor element for triggering aggressive strikes.
Year Round
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This pattern from DiscountFlies Fly Shop represents the evolution of the Mini Leech into a competition-ready jig pattern. The hot-colored bead options include chartreuse, orange, pink, and red, allowing anglers to match conditions or trigger reaction strikes. The holographic tinsel body combined with the pine squirrel wing creates a slim, flashy profile that appeals to trout in pressured waters.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Firehole 520 or similar jig hook, #12–#16
Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk 12/0 or 70 denier
Bead: Slotted tungsten bead, 2.5–3.5mm, fluorescent color
Body: Holographic tinsel
Tail/Wing: Micro pine squirrel zonker strip
Thorax: Ostrich herl
Fishing Tips
Season
Effective year-round with the hot-colored bead providing attraction even in cold water conditions. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but winter fishing can be productive with slow presentations in deep pools.
Presentation
Euro nymph with tight-line techniques, maintaining constant contact with the fly. The jig hook design allows confident presentations through rocky structure. In stillwater, strip slowly with pauses to let the squirrel fibers pulse.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fish need additional stimulus beyond natural colors. The hot bead triggers reaction strikes from lethargic or pressured fish. Excellent in high-pressure waters where fish have seen standard patterns repeatedly.
Water Type
Versatile across moving water and stillwater environments. The jig design excels in rocky freestone streams where snags are common. Also effective in tailwaters, spring creeks, and stillwater presentations at various depths.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on 10-12 foot euro leader with 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet. Use as point fly in a two-nymph rig with a natural-colored pattern as dropper. Match bead color to conditions - bright for murky water, subtle for clear.
Visibility & Floatation
The slotted tungsten bead provides quick sink rates while the fluorescent color remains visible in deep or murky water. Holographic tinsel flashes on any movement, attracting fish from distance. The jig design creates a natural swimming action as the fly descends.
