Intro

The Cheech Leech is a streamer pattern originally created by Clark "Cheech" Pierce from Fly Fish Food. This pattern has all the characteristics of a clutch mid-sized articulated streamers. Eyes that add just enough weight, a Simi Seal head that moves lots of water, a marabou collar that adds dynamic movement, rubber legs that make an attention-grabbing ruckus... the list goes on and on. But what could you expect? Uncle Cheech is a wizard at the vise. Nothing but great things going on with the crew over at Fly Fish Food.

When it comes to journalism, it’s always best to go straight to the source. Back in February of 2013, Cheech published a post to his then up & coming fly tying blog, Fly Fish Food. That article was the origin story of the Cheech Leech and Pierce’s thoughts on his creation.

So here it is, straight from the source:

Applications

CATEGORY: Streamer

TARGET SPECIES: Trout, Bass, Pike

The Cheech Leech is a staple in the boxes of anglers that love to chase big, aggressive trout. The mid-range weight makes it a perfect streamer for pounding the riverbanks, allowing the fly to sink at a rate that will keep it in the strike zone and off the bottom.

As a general baitfish imitation, the Cheech Leech can also be used to target a variety of species of bass. The list includes largemouth, smallmouth, shoal bass, and stripers. When targeting these fish in stillwater, you may want to use a sink tip line or sinking leader to get the fly down, as the bulky body (one of the key features of the pattern) may not get down as quickly as you’d like.

Let’s zero in on one particular variation: the Halloween Cheech Leech.

Measuring in around 3.5" long, with a head nearly an inch thick, the Cheech Leech is an anatomically correct sculpin imitation. The Halloween variation plays up the wounded sculpin aesthetic perfectly. The pattern's bulky Simi Seal head moves water in an attention-catching manner, while the combination of black and orange marabou tied in behind the eyes almost creates the appearance of a little baitfish bleeding from the gills.
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I’ve had the most luck when fishing the Halloween Cheech Leech with erratic, unpredictable retrieves. Here's an example of the approach used when fishing lakes in central Colorado in the spring, shortly after ice-off:⁠

NOTE: Fishing a 7wt. floating line with an intermediate sink tip and a 4' 20lb. leader⁠⠀
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CAST 1: Let sink 1-2' below surface. 3 quick strips, 1 second pause. Repeat until next cast.⁠⠀
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CAST 2: Let sink to mid-column. 1 long strip, quick pause. 2 long strips, quick pause. Repeat until next cast.⁠⠀
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CAST 3: Let sink to bottom. 2 quick strips, 1 long strip. Repeat until next cast.⁠⠀
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CAST 4: Let sink to mid column. 3 short twitches, then throw a rolling mend to the right. 3 more short twitches, then throw a rolling mend to the left. Repeat until next cast.⁠⠀
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CAST 5: Repeat or move to a new spot.⁠⠀
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But that's just one approach. You can't go wrong with this pattern. When it comes to slaying trout, the Halloween Cheech Leech might as well be known as the Michael Myers of streamers

About the Tyer

Clark "Cheech" Pierce, Fly Fish Food / Fulling Mill

Clark (Cheech) originally from Vernal, UT is relatively famous from his days as a steer wrestler in Elko Nevada. He ties a few flies now and again when he's not busy modeling plus size clothing.  He has tied for many years, and got his start in fly design with Rainy's flies, where he created the Cheech Leech, Grumpy Frumpy, and other effective patterns.  He is now an innovator for Fulling Mill, and many of his fly patterns are available through them. His most notable accomplishment in fly tying is that he once tied 65 San Juan worms in 20 minutes, and eating a Big Mac in 4 bites.

(via FlyFishFood.com)

MATERIAL LIST - Halloween Cheech Leech

• *REAR*

• REAR HOOK: Daiichi 2461 (#2)

• THREAD: Danville 210 Denier (Fl. Orange)

• TAIL: AZ Mega Simi Seal dubbing (Black UV)

• FLASH: Krystal Flash (Rootbeer)

• BODY: AZ Mega Simi Seal dubbing (Black UV)

• HACKLE: Palmer Chenille (Orange)

• *MIDDLE*

• BEADS: Articulation Beads (Roe Orange + Gunmetal)

• WIRE: Articulation Wire

• *FRONT*

• FRONT HOOK: Gamakatsu B10S (#1)

• EYES: Ballzeyes (Large - Red)

• BODY: AZ Mega Simi Seal dubbing (Black UV)

• HACKLE: Palmer Chenille (Black)

• COLLAR: Nature’s Spirit Strung Marabou (Black + Fl. Orange)

• LEGS: Silicon Streamer Legs (Speckled Copper Black)

• HEAD: AZ Mega Simi Seal dubbing (Black UV)