How to Tie the Mayer's Mini Leech Fly Pattern

Learn how to tie the Mayer's Mini Leech fly pattern, including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly-tying skills here

Looking for an effective and easy-to-tie leech pattern? Look no further than Mayer's Mini Leech! Created by renowned angler Landon Mayer, this pattern is a must-have for any fly fisherman's collection. In this video, we'll show you exactly how to tie this pattern step-by-step. To tie Mayer's Mini Leech, you'll need a TMC 2488H size 14 hook, Uni-Thread 8/0 in Black, Hareline Krystal Flash in Black for the body, Micro-Pine Squirrel Black for the wing, and Ostrich Herl in Black for the thorax. This pattern is incredibly versatile and can be tied in sizes 12 - 18.

One of the great things about this leech pattern is its simplicity. Even beginner fly tyers can easily tie this pattern. When fished as a dropper under a dry fly or from an indicator, the pine squirrel wing provides lots of movement that's sure to attract trout. It's a tough pattern that can stand up to even the most finicky fish.

Material List

• Hook: TMC 2488H size 14
• Thread: Uni-Thread 8/0 in Black
• Body: Hareline Krystal Flash in Black
• Wing: Micro-Pine Squirrel Black
• Thorax: Ostrich Herl in Black

Step One

Begin your thread with a jam knot roughly one eye's length behind the eye and take several wraps backward to form a thread base. Trim the excess thread.

Step Two

Select a single strand of black Krystal Flash and double it over your thread to tie it in.

Step Three

Now wrap the Krystal Flash up your thread base and once you reach your initial tie-in point, tie it off and trim the excess. Hit the body with just a bit of Zap-A-Gap too to increase the fly's durability.

Step Four

Prep a black Pine Squirrel Zonker Strip by stripping off some of the fur from the hide (this will make for a clean area to tie in that won't distort the fly's appearance. Once you've removed the fur, tie the Zonker in directly on top of the hook's shank.

Step Five

Now trim the Zonker strip to be roughly twice the length of the hook's shank.

Step Six

Tie in a single strand of black Ostrich Herl right in front of the Zonker strip. Then wrap it forward until you reach the hook's eye, tie it off, and trim the excess.

Step Seven

Now whip finish the fly and trim your thread. Finish the fly off with a small drop of head cement.

Your Mayer's Mini Leech is now all done. From stillwaters with trout to flowing rivers with hungry smallmouth, this easy pattern is ready to take fish anywhere leeches call home.