Fly of the Week: Cheech Leech

The Cheech Leech was designed by Clark Pierce.  Clark goes by the name “Cheech” and is half of the duo known as Fly Fish Food. Clark says the Cheech Leech is hands down his favorite streamer pattern.  It has been a good seller in our fly shops and has become a favorite streamer among many anglers. Like most flies, the Cheech Leech has evolved over time.  In its current rendition, it is a very fishy critter.  We get our Cheech Leeches from the Fulling Mill Fly Tying Company.

A bigger fish is always better. Check out streamer patterns here.

The Cheech Leech comes in an array of fishy colors.  We offer it in black, black/red, fall, Halloween and tan. It is an articulated baitfish style streamer approximately 4.5” long that pushes water and swims with a tantalizing action.  Not only has it found favor with brown trout on Montana’s waters, but I have a friend who found it to entice big rainbows on Alaska’s Kvichak River.

Late fall is streamer time. Here's what you need to know before you head out.

We like to fish the Cheech Leech in the spring during higher flows and in the fall when browns get aggressive during pre-spawn and hungry again post-spawn.  As a large fly, it works best when paired with a sink tip line like the Airflow Streamer Max Short.  I like to run a 4’ shot of 12-20# fluorocarbon from fly line to fly.  No need to go any lighter.  This is not a fly for delicate eats.

Wonder what the river is doing? Get the latest from our North 40 fly shop fishing reports here.