Mohair Leech - Basic Question

[Njardar]

I'm new to fly tying, and fly fishing as well, and I have a basic question about the mohair leech. When winding the mohair yarn onto the body is it wound in a single layer towrds the eye, or is the body built up? My first two looked a bit a anorexic compared to photo's I've seen. Also, should I build up a head with thread?

Thanks in advance.

- Charlie

[crawfly]

An old tying tip;

You can taper build or bulk a fly with pre-wrap. It's now made in a bunch of different colors which even allows a palmer of leech yarn and let some some through if you want, increasing it's versatility. Cheap stuff and one roll will last a long time.

http://www.q-sport.com/foamprewrap.html

[Gavin]

It depends on the quality of the mohair you are useing, but sometimes you need to dub and underbody..Just pull some mohair strands out of the scraps and dub it on the hook. You also want to stroke the fibers back as you wrap. Cheers.

[Greg]

Charlie

Most mohair leeches are weighted. Are you putting lead wire (or lead alternative) down first? Most of the mohair leeches I tie I wrap ten to 20 wraps of .015 lead wire down first. That builds a bulkier more natural looking body. If you don't want them weighted then yes I would do at least 2 wraps.

Love the mohair leech pattern. It's actually what got me back into tying almost 10 years ago. At that time I couldn't find them at any of the shops so I had to tie my own. I tie them in #6 to 18 sizes. Probably my favorite fly.

Greg

[JONBOY]

I use the wieghted wire, and then out some chenile down as an underlayment, it will bulk up the body also.

[Njardar]

Thanks to all, I will keep these tips in mind. To me this is a great beginner fly to develop tying skills.

All the best,

Charlie