Paul's May 2026 Fly of the Month

 Roly Poly Leach

Hook:  Fulling Mill 5125 Jig Force Short Barbless Hook #12.

Thread:  6/0 Red or Black. 

 Bead:  Slotted Tungsten Metallic Red 3.8 mm.

Tail:  Fulling Mill Chewy Worm Chenille – Medium - Brown.

Body:  Comprised of 3 bumps of material listed below:

Body 1:  Bump of Fulling Mill Ultra Nymph Dub - Psychedelic Dark Olive.

Body 2:  Bump of Fulling Mill Tactical Microflash Dub UV - UV Light Olive.

Body 3:  Dubbing loop formed with a mixture of Body 1 & 2 Dubbing. 

This fly comes from the UK/Fulling Mill.  I love Jig Leach flies. By the way, I ‘test fish’ all the flies I post. This one proved to be very successful so far this Spring (2026). I try to pick flies where the materials needed can be easily substituted for what the tyer has on hand.  For this fly that’s not the case.  The Fulling Mill Chewy Worm Chenille is unique and required for this fly.  I know there’s some similar Chenille’s that are now on the market, but I haven’t tied or fished them.

To tie this fly, begin by placing your Slotted Metallic Red Bead on the hook.  Start your thread behind the bead and create a small thread dam to lock your bead in place.  Bring your thread back down the hook shank.  Capture and tie on your Chewy Worm Material with securing wraps.  The Worm/Tail should extend approximately 4 times the length of the hook shank.

You are now ready to dub the rear 2/3rds of the hook with Dark Olive Ultra Nymph Dub.  To do this take a small clump of dubbing, at it’s middle point, tie it on to the hook shank with a few securing wraps.  Now sweep all the material rearward and lock it in place with wraps in front of the dubbing material.  Repeat this process so that 2/3rds the hook shank is dubbed.  With a dubbing brush stroke all the material rearward.  An alternative to ‘clump dubbing’ is to create a dubbing loop of the material and wrap it forward to cover 2/3rds of the hook shank. 

Use UV Light Olive Nymph Dub to make a dubbing brush for the last third of the hook shank.  After wrapping it to the bead, tie it off.  Whip finish the fly. With a dubbing brush stroke all the material rearward.    

Fly Fish Food has a great video on how to tie this fly below:

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at pdinice@frontier.com .