Belinda's Bitchslap Fly | An Origin Story
To be honest we're surprised this fly hasn't been cancelled yet, because with a name like "The Bitchslap" you'd expect it to be high on the fly wokesters target list. I guess they have bigger fish to not fry right now...
This pattern has been part of the Manic Fly Collection since day dot, and now extends to nine different colours combinations, check out the full range of Bitchslaps.
BELINDA THOMAS ON THE BITCHSLAP
It’s hard to be original with fly tying and the Belinda's Bitchslap fly is absolute proof of that. It’s basically what happened when some of my favourite wet flies had a few too many drinks on a cold night.
But I’d never say it was just a happy accident. I have a few favourite materials that get thrown at hooks in various combinations inspired by and stolen from others that have proven to be a golden formula for attracting trout.
WHAT MAKES BELINDA'S BITCHSLAP FLY SO BITCHIN'?
A bit of sparkle is a great attractor that draws trout in, so the body and tail-flash are the whistle-up. The hackle is soft and pulses well, and the soft collar is just enough to push a bit of water and remember to hold its shape on the hang.
As for colour, they can be situation-specific but will cover most water. It takes a real man to fish with a pink fly but it’s my favourite for brown trout. I’ve had it happen several times where I have hammered a piece of water, caught nothing, changed to a pink bead and body fly and next cast got a crazy brown.
HOW TO FISH THE BITCHSLAP
I prefer to fish these in rivers swung through slow glides and pools, and in lakes. Bitchslap's suit the slower waters and a slower retrieve is good, but picking up the pace often incites a take, and they work a treat under an indicator as a damsel imitation.
BUT WHY BITCHSLAP?
How it came to be reproduced by Manic was what happened when I left the back of my truck open at the Lake Rotoaira boat ramp and wandered off.
I got back to find Rene parked up and helping himself to my fly-box. Funny that he picked out the favourite first. After a quick two-way interrogation, he named the fly on the spot. The Bitchslap was born.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
What can we say other than Belinda Thomas fishes a lot, seriously, we are talking major fishing time here. Not sure how she does it being the super-uber-mega-corporate-hype-machine she is, but she knows how to make time for the good stuff in life, and is very, very good at it.