String leeches enable one to create monster size fly that uses a small hook. They also allow the pattern to have it's full potenatial of action, this creates a mouth watering treat to any fish that can fit it in thier mouth. Anyone would be suprised how small of fish will plow into these. Since the hook is at the tail of the fly it prevents short bites, and hook ups are improved.

The above is the palete for the pattern. It is created by furling a peice of mono. To learn how to make one of these (go here).

Now there many ways to tie a string leech, some use two vises stretching the line between them to tie onto somthing like this (above picture).this is just a loop made into the line using a nail knot to hold itself back. I choose to slip a piece of tygon tubing over a loop and used one drop of super glue inside of the tubing once I have the length of loop desired (see pic below). It make for a better looking fly.

I also use this way because I choose to tie on a tube rather the the line itself. This allows for easier tying and the albility to change hooks and patterns quickly on the river. The pattern below shows how I slip the hook through ther leather of the bunny strip, this is not nesary beacuse of the stiftness of the line but it makes me feel better.

Here is the same thing but with racoon, this pattern I call the monster. Racoon is huge and does not collapse under water. The collar in artic fox which has mass amounts of action but holds it's shape.

Here is a Mother-of-all-Leeches; the one pictured is tandeem yet if you snip off the front hook it becomes a string leech. Its made by warping cross-cut rabbit up the string. You can find it in the Winter 2004 issue of NW flyfishing.