Leeches are often considered a staple for stillwater fly fishers. How often we actually see leeches is interesting to contemplate. Other than in B.C. lakes, I have not seen leeches in the shoreline muck and detritus of the lakes I fish, yet I (you?) profess to imitate them all the time. I think it is more of a regional thing, I am sure I spend little enough time really looking.
But, hey, should you actually find some and contemplate collecting them, here is an interesting few things to consider about leeches at The Museum of Ridiculously Interesting Things. Some creepy things at this site. Don’t blame me.
SwittersB & Exploring 
I am so glad it isn’t just me, I have never understood the leech thing, I have never seen one on or in a trout or even in a water I fish. Maybe, as you say it is a regional thing. Personally I think that perhaps a lot of “leech flies” get taken by trout as dragonfly nymphs. I am pretty sure they look similar in the water, probably more like a dragon than a leech actually. I don’t even own any leech patterns, but then maybe I should and I am missing something. ?
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Yes, I opt in favor of ‘they’re probably there, I just haven’t looked hard enough’ 🙂 No, I think you are right about dragonflies and perhaps smaller fish (retrieval mimics). The old Woolly Worm is rarely seen anymore and that would be a great dragon pattern too. Those B.C. lakes that had lots of leeches were mucky, dark, earthy like and that is probably a good start. I will have to look into it more.
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