Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 10
Tying the Bunny Leech
YOUR FISHING FIELD GUIDE
by Carl Haensel
photos by the author
L
eeches often bring to mind visions of blood-sucking,
squirming aquatic worms. Some anglers are not aware
that many fish love to eat leeches. Often found in
warmwater rivers, lakes, and ponds, leeches are different
colors and sizes. From bass and Bluegills to trout and even
Northern Pike, leech flies are effective patterns. Since they
are often fished through slower, deeper water, leech flies can
be used when fish are at their most finicky. Leech patterns
saved the day for me more than once, and fishing a Bunny
Leech is a great step to take when nothing else is working.
The rabbit hair that these patterns are tied with undulates
in the water, even when the fly is nearly still. Try tying it in
black, brown, and green to mimic different native leeches.
A beadhead or conehead may be added to weigh down the
pattern and reach deeper fish.
Leech patterns work well in stillwater situations. Try fishing the
Bunny Leech this fall in large reservoirs like Raystown Lake,
Huntingdon County, which is shown here.
Tying the Bunny Leech Materials
Hook: Size 2-10 TMC 5263 streamer hook
or similar
Thread: Gel spun polyethylene in black
Bead: Beadhead or conehead
Tail: Black rabbit strips or color of choice
Body/Collar: Black rabbit strips or color of choice
Flash: Rainbow Krystal Flash
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
Begin by adding a conehead or beadhead
to the hook and securing your hook in the
vise. Tie on your thread and wrap it to cover
the hook.
Tie in a length of rabbit strip, with the tail
extending at least the length of the hook
past the bend. Secure the rabbit strip by
wrapping it about 1/8 of an inch above the
bend of the hook.
Tie in a few strands of Krystal Flash on either
side of the hook, extending back to the end of
the rabbit strip tail.
Take a second rabbit strip of the same material,
and tie it in at the same point as the tail. Make
sure the fibers of the fur are pointed toward the
tail of the fly, and wrap the strip forward to just
behind the conehead or bead.
Tie off the rabbit strip behind the bead
or conehead, whip finish, and add some
cyanoacrylate glue for durability and to
smooth the fur fibers back.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - 12
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2022 - Cover4
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