LeechMidnight Fire Balanced Leech
The Midnight Fire Balanced Leech is a complex stillwater pattern designed for suspended presentations under an indicator. The balanced design allows the fly to hang horizontally in the water column, mimicking a natural leech at rest. Multiple dubbing collars create a segmented, buggy profile with exceptional movement.
Year Round
Advanced
Trout
Overview
This Fly Fish Food pattern by Curtis Fry showcases the complexity possible in modern stillwater leech designs. The balanced presentation requires a specialized rigging technique using a pin or wire through the bead to keep the fly horizontal. The multiple collar materials create an extremely buggy profile with fibers moving independently. The midnight fire coloration transitions from dark to bright, mimicking the color gradient of natural leeches.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Hanak H 400 BL, #10
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 140, black
Bead: Firehole Stones matte tungsten, fluorescent screaming red, 3.5mm
Tail Accent: Holographic Flashabou, cranberry
Tail: Fish Hunter marabou, burgundy
Tail 2: Fish Hunter marabou, black UV
Body: Arizona Diamond Dub, midnight fire
Collar 1: Pine squirrel zonker, leech red
Collar 2: Ice Dub, claret
Collar 3: Ice Dub, UV pearl
Collar 4: Ice Dub, red
Fishing Tips
Season
Year-round effectiveness in stillwater, with peak periods during spring and fall chironomid hatches when fish are accustomed to suspended presentations. Winter fishing under ice can be productive with very slow presentations.
Presentation
Fish under a strike indicator set to the exact depth where fish are holding. The balanced design keeps the fly horizontal, swimming naturally with even slight indicator movement. Subtle twitches of the indicator impart lifelike movement without excessive action.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fish are suspended at specific depths and refusing standard leech patterns. Excellent during stillwater conditions when trout are cruising and picking off suspended prey. The complex profile works well when fish have time to inspect offerings.
Water Type
Designed specifically for stillwater fishing in lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. Most effective at depths of 8-20 feet where balanced leeches excel. Fish near structure, weed edges, and drop-offs where trout cruise for prey.
Rigging Suggestions
Rig as a balanced leech using a short pin through the bead that extends past the hook eye, with leader attached to the pin. This creates the horizontal presentation essential for the pattern. Fish on 4X-5X fluorocarbon under a sensitive strike indicator. Set indicator depth to match fish-holding depth.
Visibility & Floatation
The fly suspends horizontally rather than hanging vertically, presenting a more natural profile to suspended fish. The fluorescent red bead serves as a hot spot visible in deep water. Multiple Ice Dub collars catch light and create a halo effect. The dark-to-bright color scheme provides excellent visibility from below.
