Articulated Squirrel Leech
(from Trout Unlimited)

Articulated flies require a little more time to tie, but they absolutely come alive in the water and are well worth the extra effort.
· Thread: Black Uni-Thread Size 3/0
· Rear hook: Tiemco TMC 800S #2-8 or similar short shank, straight eye hook
· Front hook: Mustad 36890 #2-10 or similar 1X long 1X heavy, turned up eye hook
· Articulated Connection: Berkley Fireline 20 lb. test or similar braided line
· Body: Pine squirrel zonker strips
· Flash: Pearl and red krystal flash
· Weight: Black conehead with prismatic eyes

Rear Hook
Start by placing the rear hook in the vise, attach the thread and wind to the rear of the hook. Tie in several strands of pearl krystal flash and trim to the length of the hook shank. Tie in a strip of pine squirrel zonker strip with a tail that is equal to the length of the hook shank. Palmer the squirrel strip forward to the hook eye, tie off and trim. Tie in several strands of red krystal flash on both sides of the hook just behind the eye. Pull the krystal flash back while securing with additional thread wraps so that the strands lie flat against the body. Trim the krystal flash so that the strands do not extend past the bend of the hook. Tie off and place a drop of head cement on the thread wraps. Set aside to dry.

Front Hook
Slip a black conehead onto the front hook and place the front hook in the vise, attach the thread and wind to the rear of the hook. Take a 6 inch strand of braided line and tie the midpoint of the braided line onto the rear of the hook so that half of the line trails over the back of the hook and half of the line extends towards the front of the hook. Wind the thread up the hook shank towards the eye of the hook and back towards the hook bend while securely wrapping down the front section of braided line. Thread the rear hook onto the rear portion of the braided line and bring the rear portion towards the eye of the hook while taking care to form a small loop in the braided line to allow plenty of room for the rear portion to move freely. With the rear section of the braided line now lying on top of the front section, securely tie down both sections of braided line by wrapping the thread up and down the hook shank. Trim the tags of braided line and tie off. Liberally apply head cement to the front hook shank while
using care not to get any head cement on the looped portion of the braided line. The looped portion of braided line should be kept supple to allow as much articulation as possible between the front and rear fly sections. Set the fly aside and allow the head cement to dry before proceeding to the next step. Re-attach the thread and wind to the rear of the hook. Tie in a strip of pine squirrel zonker strip above the hook bend and then wrap the thread forward until just behind the conehead. Palmer the squirrel strip forward until just behind the cone head. Tie off and trim. Tie in a clump of red krystal flash right behind the conehead and trim for the throat of the fly. Whip finish and apply head cement to thread wraps.

Go fishing and hang on tight.