Tying the Simi Seal Leech
Duranglers shop manager Kyle tied up a few Simi Seal Leech patterns the other day. We just got some Simi Seal dubbing in the shop and this stuff looks and fishes incredible This pattern works great on San Juan River tailwater as well as our local still waters. It is a very simple and easy tie and is a great pattern that many in the midwest have already come to appreciate.
Tying the Simi Seal Leech
Hook: 2x-3x long, 1x heavy Nymph (i.e. TMC 5262, Dai-Riki 730) Size 6-14
Thread: 6/0 Red Uni
Tail/Body: Arizona Simi Seal Dubbing Black/Red
Step 1: The hook here is a Dai-Riki 730 #8 and it has been fitted with a medium black nickel cone head. Both of these are interchangeable with a different bead, hook style/size, what-have-you. Lead wraps can also be shoved up into the bead for added weight. Start your thread and wrap back to just before the hook bend.
Step 2: Pull out a small clump of simi seal (here Black/Red). Roughly align the fibers and tie it in the middle of the material with two nice tight wraps.
Step 3: Pull back the material that is pointing toward the eye so that it is now one even tail. Wrap back over the material to bind it down.
Step 4: Next, I am loosely dubbing the Simi Seal to the thread and dubbing a very shaggy body all the way to the cone. Feel free to use a dubbing loop as well. You can also rib this pattern for added weight and durability.
Final Step: At the bead, I have built up a small red “hot spot” of my working thread. Again, that is optional. Whip-finish and trim the thread. You can take a dubbing brush (tooth brush, gun cleaning brush, wire brush, BBQ brush, your daughter’s barbie brush) and brush out some fibers to give it an even more shaggy look.
An easy, easy leech that will work anywhere.
-Kyle
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