The Fabulous Leech

The leech isn't much to look at but it does a bang-up job as a live bait. It's easy to keep and if hooked right, can bring in everything from trout to northern pike. Whether it's a subconscious attempt on the part of game fish to do this little critter in before it gets a chance to suck the life out of something else or is just one of the tastiest snacks swimming, I don't know. But I do know that leeches catch fish. Hook a leech through the sucker. A leech tends to curl up in a ball if hooked anywhere else. A flowing, loose leech is the goal when it's tossed out into a stream or up along shallow weeds. Leeches last for several days in clean water. Change it every few days and keep it at room temperature. Add a couple of dead minnows now and then to feed the leeches and they should stay fresh.