Loop ES Leech Fly

The Solitude Loop ES Leech is a staple pattern for anglers chasing steelhead, salmon, and large predatory trout. Designed by renowned guide Tom Larimer, this fly combines the lifelike movement of rabbit fur with a modern articulated shank design. It features heavy dumbbell eyes that help it dive quickly into the strike zone and a trailing stinger hook that secures short-striking fish. Whether you are swinging runs for winter steelhead or targeting aggressive kings in deep pockets, this pattern belongs in your fly box.

What It Imitates

This pattern primarily imitates a large leech or a swimming baitfish. The undulating rabbit strip tail creates a breathing action in the water that looks alive even at slow speeds. The "ES" in the name hints at the egg-sucking variety, especially in the black and chartreuse color combination, which mimics a leech stealing a fish egg. This triggers a natural predatory response in salmon and steelhead who instinctively attack egg-eating intruders.

How To Use It

This fly is designed primarily for the swing. Cast it across the current and allow it to sweep through the run under tension. The heavy dumbbell eyes help the fly jig and dive, so keep a tight line to feel the grab. It works exceptionally well on a sink-tip line when you need to get down to fish holding in cold, deep water. For trout or bass in stillwater, you can strip this fly with a pause-and-pull retrieve to make the rabbit fur pulse and swim.

When To Use It

Use the Loop ES Leech during colder months when fish are less active and need a substantial meal to trigger a strike. It shines in off-colored or high water where its large profile and movement help fish locate it. The black and chartreuse version is a top choice for winter steelhead and king salmon, while the purple variation is excellent for coho salmon or overcast days. Darker colors like black/black work well in clear water or low-light conditions.

Why We Like It

We recommend this fly because of its incredible durability and movement. The articulated shank connection prevents the fish from using the hook as leverage to throw the fly, which often happens with standard long-shank streamers. The rabbit fur creates a seductive action that continues to move even when the fly is at rest. It sinks fast, stays in the zone, and holds up to the abuse of heavy fish.

Comparisons

Loop ES Leech vs Standard Woolly Bugger:

The Standard Woolly Bugger is a classic streamer tied on a single rigid hook. While it catches fish, it lacks the fluid movement and short-strike hooking capability of the Loop ES Leech. The Loop ES Leech uses an articulated shank and a trailing stinger hook, which results in fewer lost fish and a much more realistic swimming action in the water.

Loop ES Leech vs Intruder Fly:

The Intruder Fly creates a large profile using materials like ostrich and rhea that flare out in the current. The Loop ES Leech relies on rabbit strips, which absorb water and become heavier but offer a different, more snake-like movement. If you want a fly that slims down to sink fast and then pulses with a "breathing" motion, the Loop ES Leech is often the better choice over the bulkier Intruder.

Loop ES Leech vs MOAL Leech:

The MOAL (Mother of All Leeches) is tied purely on a string or wire extension, making the entire fly one long flexible noodle. The Loop ES Leech differs by having a rigid front shank with dumbbell eyes, giving it a jigging motion that the MOAL lacks. The Loop ES Leech offers more control over depth and head weight, making it easier to steer into specific buckets of water.