The egg sucking leech has been around for quite a while. The original started out as black. The purple version has proven to be just as successful. This pattern is "standard issue" for any angler fishing the catch and release trout fishery of the upper Kenai River. Both rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are taken on this fly and it is one of the most successful flies used on the upper Kenai.
A tyer can add his own flair to this pattern with a few strands of crystal flash in the tail or sparkle purple chenille for the body plus a dumbbell eye and create the Sparkle Bugger. A selection of both black and purple versions should be included in any angler's flybox when fishing rainbows and Dollies or char in Alaska's big waters.
TYING:
1. Weight the hook shank from directly above the point of the hook to a spot three eye-widths behind the eye of the hook. Secure, leaving the thread at the tail position.
2. Tie in a shank-length piece of marabou for the tail. At this same point, attach the purple chenille and the saddle hackle. Take the thread forward to the front of the lead, leaving room for the chenille head.
3. Wrap the purple chenille forward and tie off.
4. Palmer the saddle hackle along the length of the chenille body and tie off.
5. Attach the pink chenille and with three to five wraps, form a ball. Tie off and hand whip finish.
