| One of the interesting "fly fishing strategies" to | | | | retrieve rate is just fast enough to keep the dry |
| emerge form the "Kamloops Lakes" over recent | | | | line straight. |
| years is the use of a micro-leech "trout fly | | | | 3) If you are drifting or trolling (slow) then set the |
| pattern" on a dry line with a "strike indicator". | | | | distance between the strike indicator and the fly |
| Traditionally, the black or blood leech is usually | | | | from about 1.5 to 2 times the depth you are |
| fished with a sinking line, either casted along the | | | | intending to fish. This allows for the angle of the |
| drop-offs beside weed beds or trolled in open | | | | leader. Again, adjust the indicator as required. |
| water. In shallower water, I would use a weighted | | | | 4) When we think of leeches, we think of those |
| fly on a dry or intermediate line. | | | | big black things. Well, those are large blood leeches |
| These days, one of the popular ways to fish this | | | | and although fish will feed on them, they also feed |
| trout fly pattern is to suspend the micro-leech | | | | on smaller leeches that we call micro-leeches. |
| just above a weed bed or shallow bottom area | | | | Generally a micro-leech will be no larger than a |
| using a strike indicator. It seemed odd at first but | | | | size 8 9672 Mustad (1.25" long) and as small as a |
| when you think about it, it make's good sense. | | | | size 12 9672 (0.75" long). Micro-leeches can be |
| The leech is a staple food for fish throughout the | | | | effectively fished in shallow water from about 3' |
| season with high interest in the spring and the fall | | | | to about 20 feet deep. This fly pattern may or |
| when hatches of other insects are unavailable. Fish | | | | may not have a bead head depending on the |
| cruise along dropoffs beside or over the weed | | | | depth you are fishing. I tend to stay away from |
| beds looking for any food that may stray from | | | | bead heads until I'm fishing water more than 8 |
| their natural shelter. Using the strike indicator on | | | | feet deep. |
| the leader with a slow retrieve or drift allows you | | | | Note: I have not fished a large leech using this |
| to serve up dinner while reducing the risk of | | | | technique (you may need a jumbo strike |
| getting caught up in the weeds. | | | | indicator). However if anyone does try it, you are |
| Here are some strategies and a few other little | | | | invited to share your experience with us at the |
| rules of thumb to employ when attempting this | | | | BC Freshwater Journal (see below). |
| micro-leech fly fishing strategy. | | | | A few of the local Kamloops Lakes that I have |
| 1) Know the depth that you want to fish. If you | | | | had success with this technique are: Bleeker Lake |
| are fishing above the weed bed, then find the | | | | (my favorite), Campell Lake, Roche Lake, 6 Mile |
| depth of the water to the top of the weeds. If | | | | Lake and Morgan Lake. |
| you are fishing the bottom, then find out the true | | | | Best success has been had in the early spring and |
| depth. If you are just letting the line sit, set the | | | | in mid-to-late fall. My favorite colors for the |
| indicator within 1 foot of the desired depth. | | | | micro-leech are dubbed black & red, |
| 2) If you are casting and retrieving, extend the | | | | peacock, or blood leech dubbing. This "fly fishing |
| leader below the strike indicator about 1'-2'more | | | | technique" is also effective when using a damsel |
| than the depth that you intend to fish. When you | | | | nymph pattern. Give it a try. |
| start your retrieve, which ranges from really slow | | | | Read more here about other "fly fishing |
| to slow, the line will is find it's level. If you are | | | | strategies" used around the Kamloops Area Lakes |
| catching weeds just simply adjust the strike | | | | in beautiful British Columbia. |
| indicator. I found that my success is best if my | | | | |