Jiggy Mini Leech - Black with Purple

A Jigged Mini Leech That Swims Like the Real Thing

The Jiggy Mini Leech in Black with Purple is a compact, tungsten-beaded jig pattern that imitates the small leeches and aquatic worms that trout actively hunt in Colorado's rivers and reservoirs. The black body with purple head is a proven color combination — the dark profile creates a strong silhouette in the water column while the purple bead adds a subtle flash trigger that draws strikes from aggressive trout.

Mini leeches are an underutilized food source that trout key on year-round, especially in slower pools, along undercut banks, and in the deeper runs of the Roaring Fork and Colorado River. The jig hook rides point-up through the drift, reducing snags and improving hookup rates, while the tungsten bead gets this fly to depth quickly. Fish it dead-drift like a nymph or give it a subtle pulse to imitate a swimming leech — either way, trout eat it.

Pattern Details

• Style: Jigged tungsten bead mini leech
• Color: Black body with purple bead/head
• Size available: #16
• Bead: Tungsten jig bead — fast sink rate, rides hook point-up
• Body: Black — strong silhouette in the water column
• Hook: Jig hook — reduces snags, improves hookups
• Imitates small leeches and aquatic worms
• Effective on the Roaring Fork, Colorado River, Frying Pan, and most Colorado tailwaters and stillwaters

How to Fish It

Dead-drift on a tight line or under an indicator through pools, runs, and along undercut banks where leeches are most active. For a more active presentation, give the fly a subtle pulse or twitch during the drift to imitate a swimming leech — this often triggers reaction strikes from trout that ignore a static drift. Also works well swung on a soft-hackle retrieve at the end of the drift. Pairs well with a small midge or nymph as a dropper in a two-fly rig.

Available in store at Glenwood Springs Outdoors, 831 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO.