Bugger Tactics on the Crooked

    Stripping buggers and leeches is one of the more overlooked tactics that can be used on the Crooked River. Especially for this time of year, not a whole lot is going on for bug activity. Yes midges and the last of the Whitefish egg patterns might produce some action but sometimes fish are being fish!  Stripping buggers and leeches in the slower pools can be extremely productive. The key to this is finding some of the deeper pools with structure. Use a fairly longer leader and a small leech or bugger and cast across. Let it swing and strip it in slowly. Some good bugger and leech imitations are the Ruby Eyed Leech, Baby Bugger, and Scupzilla in the smaller sizes. This tactic can be a great one. Go out there and give it a shot especially if some of the usual tactics are drawing a blank.