Mini Cheech Leech

Downsizing for Maximum Effectiveness

The Cheech Leech is the fly that really started my addiction to tying and fishing articulated streamers.  The original Cheech Leeches were tied on two TMC 5262 hooks in size 4, with a regular plain lead dumbbell eye.  The only thing about that fly is that I'd have to rummage through all of my marabou to find pieces small enough to palmer around the hook shank.  As I got more materials, and dialed the pattern in a bit, I ultimately decided to make the hooks proportionate to the longer marabou.  The bigger Cheech Leech would turn into my most effective fly, and it has caught multiple species in multiple continents.  The other issue that I ran into was that the medium sized palmer chenille was a bit too long for a smaller hook.  As you will see in this video, I was able to achieve a proportionate fly by using the MP Magic Tool for the marabou, and small sized palmer chenille for the body.  

Other than the smaller size of this fly, the Cheech Leech really doesn't need any more introduction.  If you would like to see the other videos we have done on the Cheech Leech, check out the following links. (Original Gangster) (Double Wide)

Tan/Yellow

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Front Hook: Gamakatsu B10S - 4 - 25 Pack     
Back Hook: Daiichi 2461 - Long Shank Streamer Hook - 6     
Connection: Articulation Wire     
Connection 2: Articulation Beads - Roe Orange     
Eyes: BallZeyes - Chartreuse - Medium (5/32" / 4 mm)     
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 140 Denier - Yellow     
Tail/body/Head: Arizona Simi Seal - Crawdad     
Flash: Midge Flash - Gold     
Collar: Nature's Spirit Strung Marabou - Tan     
Collar 2: Nature's Spirit Strung Marabou - Yellow     
Legs: Silicone Flutter Legs - Tan     
Palmer Chenille: Palmer Chenille - Tan - Small     

Olive/Brown

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View in store

Front Hook: Gamakatsu B10S - 4 - 25 Pack     
Back Hook: Daiichi 2461 - Long Shank Streamer Hook - 6     
Connection: Articulation Wire     
Connection 2: Articulation Beads - Electric Lizard     
Eyes: BallZeyes - Red - Medium (5/32" / 4 mm)     
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 140 Denier - Light Olive     
Tail/body/Head: Arizona Simi Seal - Bronze Peacock     
Flash: Midge Flash - Olive     
Collar: Nature's Spirit Strung Marabou - Olive     
Collar 2: Nature's Spirit Strung Marabou - Brown     
Legs: Silicone Flutter Legs - Olive     
Palmer Chenille: Palmer Chenille - Olive - Small     



Other tools from the tutorial:

C&F Design Bobbin

Stonfo Comb/Brush Tool

C&F Design Hackle Pliers