LeechMicro Sour Apple Leech
The Micro Sour Apple Leech is a compact olive leech pattern from DRAGONtail Tenkara designed for finesse presentations with tenkara and light fly rods. Featuring an apple-green tungsten bead and olive pine squirrel zonker, this pattern offers excellent movement in a small package. The dubbing loop collar technique creates a dense but mobile profile that fish find irresistible in clear water.
Year Round
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This DRAGONtail Tenkara pattern by Brent Auger demonstrates the effectiveness of olive leech patterns, which often outperform the more common black varieties. The apple-colored bead is believed to enhance effectiveness, serving as a subtle attractor. The dubbing loop collar technique uses fibers pulled from the pine squirrel zonker strip rather than ostrich herl, creating excellent movement while being easier to work with and more durable.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Moonlit TOGATTA ML211 Premium Barbless Hook, #14
Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 12/0 (70 Denier), medium olive
Bead: Moonlit Slotted Tungsten Bead, 3.0mm, light olive (apple)
Body/Collar: Moonlit Pine Squirrel Zonker Strip, olive, 1/16" (2mm)
Fishing Tips
Season
Year-round effectiveness in both moving water and stillwater. The compact size makes it particularly useful during periods of heavy fishing pressure when fish become wary of larger flies.
Presentation
Dead drift through likely holding water, or add slight twitches to activate the pine squirrel fibers. The small size and natural materials allow confident presentations in clear water where fish have time to inspect offerings.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fishing clear water or when fish are refusing larger leech patterns. Excellent choice for tenkara fishing where the rod's sensitivity and control can be fully utilized.
Water Type
Effective in small rivers, creeks, deep runs, ponds, and lakes. The micro size allows presentations in water too small or clear for larger leech patterns.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on tenkara line or 10-12 foot leader with 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet. The tungsten bead provides enough weight for most presentations without additional split shot. Can be fished under a small indicator in stillwater.
Visibility & Floatation
The 3.0mm tungsten bead provides adequate sink rates for reaching trout holding zones in moderate depth water. Use smaller beads for skinnier water, larger beads for faster sink rates. The olive coloration provides excellent visibility to fish while maintaining a natural appearance.
