Ocean Going Egg Sucking Leech

Fly: Patrick Welch, Photograph: Hans Weilenmann

Hook: Standard saltwater, size 2/0 Tiemco 9394 or similar
Head: ½ - ¼” Orange Pom-Pom
Thread: Danville Plus, black
Weight: .030 Lead
Eyes: Bead Chain; large silver
Tail: Bunny strip; purple w/Wine Krystal Flash over
Body: Purple Cactus Chenille

Tying instructions:


  1. I use a Tiemco 9394 # 2/0 hook to tie this fly. I’ve used this hook for years in salt water and it holds up extremely well. Feel free to substitute the hook of your choice.

  2. Impale the Orange pom-pom on the hook and slide it forward to the eye. It helps to use a cork to force the hook point through the pom-pom. Just put the pom-pom on the flat surface of the cork and press down with the hook point until it passes through the pom-pom. Then, slide the pom-pom up to the eye of the hook.

  3. If you are going to weight this fly, tie in the .030 lead now.

  4. Return your thread to the bend of the hook.

  5. Tie on a piece of straight cut purple rabbit fur at the bend of the hook just above the point.

  6. Tie on a half dozen pieces of Wine Krystal Flash on top of the rabbit fur.

  7. Put a very small drop of Krazy Glue on top of the rabbit fur and Krystall Flash.

  8. Tie in your purple Cactus Chenille at the bend of the hook and bring the thread forward to the pom pom.

  9. Wrap the purple Cactus Chenille around the hook until you get to the pom pom and tie it off at that point.

  10. Put a small drop of Krazy Glue on the knot between chenille and pom pom.

I like to fish this fly with a heavy 15’ sink tip line on an 8 wt. fly rod. I use a leader that is about 5-6’ long when I am fishing for silvers in salt or fresh water.

Cast the fly out out into the water where you see the fish jumping. Let it sink for about 30 seconds. Start stripping the fly towards you in 1’ strips. You will know when the silver salmon hits the fly.

Also, hang onto you fly rod while you are letting this fly sink. Sometimes the silvers come along and slam the fly while it is sinking.

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© 2009 Hans Weilenmann
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