For my last two stillwater fly fishing outings, the lakes were alive with all manner of insect activity. Last week there were Caddis, Damsels and Dragons and a smattering of Callibaetis. Today, there was a non-stop Chironomid hatch, sizable midges, Caddis, Callibaetis, Tricos, Dragons and on both occasions the overwhelming productive fly was the Little Fort Leech.
It isn’t that I didn’t try other patterns, but few came to other patterns, despite diligent attempts to present the flies just so. As soon as I went back to the Little Fort Leech the assault continued. It was a bit spooky. I experimented with green, brown, olive green. Rejection. Is it the black? The red dash? The gold bead? The peacock and black chenille? Since I first discovered this pattern, it has been a stalwart stillwater pattern.
I do attempt to do more on a lake than kick about trolling a woolly bugger. I mix up the retrieves; sometimes I kick, wind drift or anchor. The Little Fort Leech fly is in my top 5 any time.
SwittersB & Exploring 
Is it plain black chenille? Then over wrapped with peacock plastic chenille? I would love to understand that part better. Always enjoy you postings.
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Good morning Rex. Thanks for the nice comment. Re the chenille: it is medium sized, sparkle chenille, not estaz or cactus or larger chenille. For the Little Fort Leech I like the color combo’s of (Black Chenille, Peacock Sparkles, Dark Blue Sparkles) or (Black Chenille, Peacock Sparkles and Red Sparkles). For the Minnow Bugger there is a Medium Green Chenille/Medium Green Sparkles/BlueSparkles) combination. I am not sure who makes these. I see them in fly shops and they jump out. I don’t tie the bigger Buggers where larger chenille would be in order. Size 6 to 8 predominate. Hope that helps. If not let me know and I will snap some photos and email to you. Take care..
Gary
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