Listen Now

Today we present part II of our Norm Albiston 1-year Anniversary show. Norm continues his conversation with us about learning how fish see, smell and hear and how we can use that information to become more predatory and to better approach our fishing and have more success catching more and bigger fish.

Listening to this episode should change the way you think about how you go fishing and if applied will help you catch more and larger fish.


And, If you like the show but wish we talked about your waters. email wylie@flyfishradio.com. We could use your help in covering the waters and fly shops in your area.

Fly of the Week
This weeks fly is a purple leech. Since purple is the last color visible as the light fades Norm suggests using this color when fishing in the dim lit evening.



Bead-head Bunny Leech

Description
This is an absolute flybox standard for us. If a species of fish will take a fly, it will go for this pattern-as good as a Woolly Bugger, but easier to tie. It produces well on trout and is probably our #1 steelhead pattern. The fly can be fished on the swing or stripped, but is really at its best on a dead-drift. Black, brown, olive and purple are good colors.

Recipe:
HOOK: Mustad 9672, or equivalent, #8-#12
BEAD: Spirit River 1/8" counterdrilled gold brass bead.
THREAD: Color to match fur 6/0.
TAIL: Dyed Purple rabbit fur strip (Zonker strip), length of hook shank.
BODY: Purple cross-cut rabbit fur strip (Bunny hackle), tied in at rear and wrapped forward.

Tying Instructions
After sliding the bead to the hook eye, wrap 15 turns of .020" non-toxic wire around the shank, and push the wraps as far as they'll go into the counterdrilled hole at the back of the bead. Mount the thread and secure the wire. Tie in the tail, and darken the hide side with a waterproof marker. Tie in the cross-cut rabbit strip and wrap forward to behind the bead, stroking the fibers backward with each turn. Trim and tie down the rabbit strip directly behind the hook eye and whip-finish.