The Bolivian Chickenbat: Cool name, eh? It is my variation on the Lithuanian Bat, as featured in Trout Flies for the 21st Century, by the late great Dick Talleur. I believe this fly pattern was created as a steelhead or salmon design, but I know very little of the actual history of this particular tie. Its true origins remain a mystery. Heck, it might be from Lithuania!
Now this is one funky bass fly. Looking to toss something they haven't seen before? The purple chickenbat is my favorite, since purple is the new black! This fly comes alive in the water, but it doesn't look like anything that's ever lived on this planet. Then again, when has that mattered to a bass?
My first smallie for 2011, on a natural brown Bolivian Chickenbat caought on Friday, May 13.
My design is for bass and is intended to be fished in much the same manner as a "jig-n-pig" would be, and I think regardless of how well it does that, it does terrorize fish everywhere. Yep, it’s also a killer pattern for many species of fish such as Trout, Striped-Bass, Pike, Steelhead and Salmon. It provides fantastic action with it's zonker-style rabbit-strip tail design. It also sports a rabbit strip body that transitions into the sparkled chenille head. Bead-chain eyes along with lead wraps on the hook shank will help get you down and provide lots of up and down motion on quick retrieve. It is tied very durable and it is made to last, because some big fish are going to do their best to absolutely destroy it!
Another chunky smallmouth taken on a Bolivian Chickenbat Streamer May 23, 2011.
This is a Quillback Carpsucker. One of the more elusive native warmwater species found in the Susquehanna River watershed... and is very uncommon to catch one. It hammered the Chickenbat and put up a strong fight! In over 20+ years of flyfishing this is my first Quillback, caught May 23, 2011.
The finished fly is about four to five inches long and has a breathing, living quality in the water. This is a fantastic pattern to fish for pre-spawn and post-spawn smallmouth. It is equally effective on largemouth bass, especially in Stillwater. Try this pattern for those carp, and even trout, that act like they've seen it all before. You'll be surprised at the results!
When the water is stained and muddy, the Purple Chickenbat works the magic!
When you can't coax the fish with your natural colors... CHARTRUESE!!! Don't leave home without it!
This was my 18-inch male fallfish with the telltale facial spawning "horns" that was caught on the Olive Bolivian Chickenbat, 4/28/12 near Camptown, PA
Brian Ferguson: a recent angler/kayaker used the Purple Bolivian Chickenbat on the Chemung River. This is what he had to say about it:
"That fly was the cats' ass. Ever caught a channel cat on one? I CAUGHT THREE ON IT, and two smallmouth bass. Channel cat in extremely swift water... I was shocked, but it happened three times. What the hell do you do to your flies that make them last? I caught four fish with it and it was still in great shape. I usually get one, maybe two fish our of a fly.
It was a hell of a night on the river for me, my pal (Josh), also my sisters boyfriend, wasn't as lucky. Must have been the Chickenbat."
We suggest
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Lock and door and call 911... or grab your rod and go fishing!$2.50
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A supersized streamer fly that is as close to a "sure thing" as it gets.$2.50
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An "Old Skool" bucktail Streamer gets an updated modern look.$1.75
