The Lithuanian Bat "Fly of the Week #72

The Lithuanian Bat
Text and Photos by By George E. Emanuel (aka Host Muddler)

Lithuanian Bat

This fly is absolutely deadly on all types of fish, from trout to striped bass, pike to smallmouth. It absolutely comes alive in the water, undulating in a most provocative manner, which any fish worth catching simply can not resist.

There is one requirement in tying this fly, the rabbit strips used to construct it must be of the types specified. This fly utilizes both "Zonker", and "Crosscut" rabbit strips. For those of you who have not worked with rabbit strips before we will explain the difference between the two.

Picture a rabbit, heading to your right, running very fast. The hairs on his back are all swept back in the wind. This also coincidentally is the way the hair grows, the grain if you will.

Now a "Zonker Strip" is cut from the rabbit from front to back, or your right to your left as you watch the rabbit run. A "crosscut Strip" is cut from side to side. This is important, which you will see as we construct the fly.

So let's get started with the list of materials we will need:

Materials List:

Hooks: size 1 to 6 streamer (shown in size 4.)

Thread: Black 3/0.

Tail: Black Zonker Strip.

Body: Crosscut Rabbit Strips.

Head: Fine Black Chenille.

Eyes: Gold Dumbbell (size to suit, these are 5/32).

Tying Instructions:

1. Mount your hook in the vise, tie on at the eye and make two bumps 1/16 or so apart about 3/8" behind the eye.

2. Now securely mount your Gold Dumbbell Eyes between the bumps we just made using figure eights, and wraps around the base of the figure eights, to really tighten everything up. Put a drop of glue into the wraps at this point.

3. Now skive the end of a piece of Zonker Strip about 1/2". A razor blade or knife can be used for this, or you can use a pair of scissors and trim as close to the hide as you can get, this is not really critical. Tie in the Zonker. Trim it to a length equal to the length of the hook shank. (trimming at this point saves waste) Put a bit of glue on here to help secure the strip at this point. We want a very durable fly, because some big fish are going to do their best to destroy it!

4. Now prepare an end of the Crosscut Rabbit Strip the same way we did the Zonker Strip. Secure the prepared end at the bend in the hook, grain pointing to the rear. Put on a drop of glue here.

5. Now wind forward with the wraps touching one another to a point about 1/8" behind the previously tied in eyes. Tie off the rabbit. Put a drop of glue on the wraps here also.

6. Now tie in the fine black chenille behind the eyes and wrap figure eights and a few wraps around the shank fore and aft of the eyes, covering the center of the dumbbell and building a nice head. Tie off the chenille at the eye, whip finish, and yes, apply head cement once more.

You may if you wish paint a pair of pupils on the eyes. You may also use lead eyes painting them any color scheme you wish. This fly can be tied in different sizes and colors to match your needs. They are durable when tied correctly, and will catch fish anywhere, in the proper size and colors. The black one you have just completed works really well on big nocturnal fish, like the brown you have been trying to catch for a few years.

Oh yeah, credit where credit is do. This is not my invention. I stole it from Dick Talluer, who stole it from someone else, unfortunately the only thing Dick remembered was the dressing of the fly. It's origins remain a mystery. Heck, it might be from Lithuania!

Let me know what you catch on this fly, I love to hear success stories! Good Luck, ~ George E. Emanuel George.

Be sure to read Al Campbell's Product Review on Mustad Hooks in Product Review!

Stay tuned - Bob Jacklin will soon begin a Weekly Tying Tip section here! ~ LadyFisher

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