How to Tie the Jigged Mayer Mini Leech Fly: A Step-by-Step Guide

For our first fly, I am showing a variation of the Mayer Mini Leech. It was created by Landon Mayer, a Colorado fly tier and guide. This is a weighted version using lead wire and a tungsten bead. Tied on a tactical-style jig hook from Umpqua feather merchants.

Set By Step Instructions

Umpqua Competition series Jig C450BL hook with a 1/8 mm slotted tungsten bead. Slide the bead on the hook and fix it in the vise.

Using .015 Lead WIre

Add 10 Wraps and push tight into/against bead

Wrap Lead or Lead-free Wire securely around the hook shank.

Uni 6/0 Black

Beginnings of a thread body

Attach the tying thread using locking wraps and then make a thread dam against the lead wire. Cover the entire hook shank and wire wraps creating a nice taper.

I love using red on this fly. The Brassie size seems to fit well on a size 10.

You can see the wire sticking off the back of the hook. Next material to be tied in, Black Flat Diamond Braid.

Attach some wire to the side of the hook shank. Leave it hanging back or secure it in a material holder.

Place the thread out of the way on the bobbin cradle. The wire is in the material clip on the back. I use the rotary. It helps to cover the body of the fly. Wrap the Diamond Braid ahead covering the entire body of the fly.

Pine Squirrel is an excellent material and has a very lifelike movement in water.

Pine Squirrel strip tied in right behind bead.

To attach a strip of Black Pine Squirrel, clean a small amount of hair from the hide on the tip. Then, tie it in directly behind the bead.

With the wire having secured the Squirrel strip the fly is ready for the next material. Using the wire to open wrap through the Pine Squirrel hair parting it as you go. Wrap back to the bead, securing the Pine Squirrel Zonker to the body.

Black Ostirch Herl for the collar.

Two strands of Ostrich Herl for tied in ready to be palmered forward.

Pull two Black Ostrich Herl feathers from the quill. Strip off the barbels on the butt end and tie them in right in front of the Squirrel. Leaving room to palmer ahead four or five times. Capture the Ostrich Herl, whip finish and fish!

Finished Jigged Mayer Mini Leech in Black

Recipe:

Hook: Umpqua C450BL size 10
Thread: Uni 6/0 Black
Wire: UTC Medium Red
Weight: 15 wraps of .015 lead wire
Bead: Tungsten Slotted Black Nickle 1/8
Body/Tail: Pine Squirrel zonker strips black with a black Ostrich herl collar