Cold winter days on still waters call for patterns that have profile, subtle attraction and the promise of protein. Silhouetted against the sky, the way a trout sees it, this fly is imitative of a leech, which is an easy mark for a cruising rainbow.

Fish this pattern on a slow-sink line. Cast close to weed beds or other cover. Let the fly sink then retrieve with a slow, erratic retrieve. Use one-inch pulls with long pauses while the fly dives.

Tie this pattern on a No. 10 wet fly hook. Turn 10 wraps of lead toward the front of the hook. Build the tail, three-quarters of the length of the hook, with black marabou and two strands of blood red Krystal Flash. For the body, use black Antron dubbing blended with blood red Ice Dub.

— Gary Lewis, For The Bulletin