Rabbit fur zonker strips are a staple material for a fly tying bench. There are so many uses for this material. This Rabbit fur leech I believe is one of the best small streamers to tie. Rabbit fur moves so well in the water, and seems to almost breath, creating a very lifelike baitfish or leech. The way we tie this in, helps reduce bulk. Which in return makes it less bulky and easier to cast. As I stated in the video, this is one of my favorite flies for fishing when trout are focused on eating small baitfish fry. One example of this is on the San Juan river where they would regularly stalk the river with fingerling trout. These little silvery 2" trout were everywhere, and the large browns, normally sitting in deep holes, would come out of the depths to feed on these high protein and easy meals. In fact, one trip I remember fishing with a couple friends, we caught 8 brown trout over 20" in one day, many of them on this fly in fact.
There are a few reasons why I use a nymph hook for this fly and not a streamer hook. Nymph hooks have a lighter wire, which means easier hook penetration even with light hook sets. I fish this fly a lot with a dead drift technique, which is basically like euro nymphing. There are many subtle takes this way, and I have missed hook sets with a heavier wire hook. A finer wire hook insures that the hook imbeds deep, with minimal pressure on that hook set. I also like the fact that a nymph hook is lighter overall. The lighter wire makes this fly sink slower. I have been known to fish this behind a heavier weighted nymph or streamer, and a lighter wire hook will allow this to bounce around more, and move side to side more with the water currents. Of course you can always add wight to the fly if you want this to sink quicker, but I regularly tie this unweighted.
You can swing this fly across a river. You can dead drift it, or fish it under an indicator like you would a nymph. You can even strip it in if fishing a slow moving pool in a river or a lake. You can catch trout, bass, sunfish, and so many more species on this fly. In fact Ive even caught catfish and carp on it before. Using the same technique, but with a saltwater hook, I have caught some saltwater species with a similar fly as well. The versatility of this fly is really amazing!
This fly uses just a hook, thread, and rabbit fur, making it a simple, and inexpensive fly to tie. A spool of thread, rabbit strips, and a package of hooks will set you back maybe $10, and you can tie up 25 of these, with materials left over. Rabbit fur also comes in many different colors, so you can tie them in whatever color combo's you wish, matching the hatch to your own needs.
Make sure you check out my sponsor Risen Fly. They are offering all of you a discount just for being my subscriber. So go to www.risenfly.com and type in McFly at checkout for 15% off your first order with them.
Also dont forget to pick up one of my fly boxes. I have both magnetic backed and silicone backed, if these sell well I plan on getting more styles as well and maybe even bringing back the shirts that everyone loved years ago. Check out my amazon store front to pick up the boxes. - www.amazon.com/shops/McFlyAngler
Materials
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Hooks: Risen Barbless Nymph 9231 (size 12) - https://www.risenfly.com/collections/hooks/products/barbless-nymph-9231
Thread: Veevus 6/0 (white) - https://amzn.to/4kI5I73
Tail/Body: Rabbit Strips (white) - https://amzn.to/43DVT2w
Resin: Solarez Ultra Thin - https://solarez.com/bone-dry-intro-kit.html
Tools Used:
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Vise: Renzetti Traveler - https://amzn.to/2t2FFmo
Bobbin: Stonfo Bobtec - https://amzn.to/2YWOf39
Scissors: Risen Spring Assist - https://www.risenfly.com/collections/fly-tying-tools-and-accessories/products/spring-assist-scissors
Whip Finisher: Dr. Slick Brass - https://amzn.to/2tGYwDW
Fly Tying Bench: Oasis Walnut Compact Bench - https://www.oasisbenches.com/oasis-benches/compact-bench/
Material Clamps: https://amzn.to/4ktHmxy
Petitjean Magic Tool (clips) - https://www.stoneriveroutfitters.com/fly-tying/fly-tying-tools/shop-stackers/marc-petitjeans-magic-tool-regular.html
UV Light: Solarez High Output - https://solarez.com/uv-cure-flashlight-high-output.html
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Magnetic Fly Box - https://amzn.to/3DBwPQl
Silicone Fly Box - https://amzn.to/40haoIX
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