Bassano Bitch Variant (BARBLESS)

This is a great fly fished with a fast retrieve early, and late in the season.

Tassie flyfishing guide Christopher Bassano on his Bitch Variant trout fly...
The "Bitch Variant” is also called “Fiona” from time to time. I was introduced to this fly by another one of Australia’s top fly fishermen, Royce Baxter from Ballarat. Royce, I believe had been shown this fly by Canadian angler and world championship silver medalist, Donald Tom. The fly is quite brash and fishes as such. I mostly fish this fly on the top dropper although many anglers have more success with it elsewhere in the cast. The red and black color combination is a great fish catcher whether using dry flies or wets this fly is no different. Unlike ‘Shrek’ and ‘Humungous’, this is a fly that fish have a love/hate relationship with. When they are eating it, they will not look at another fly. If I have this fly on the cast for half an hour and have not caught a fish on it, I will take it off because when they want it, they will eat it and pull the rod from your hands in the process. It is a flashy fly and I find it more suitable to colored water or overcast conditions. I could not count the number of times this fly has saved an unproductive days fishing by catching numerous fish when others are struggling. Again, if a less flashy fly is needed, simply cut some of the flash out of the tail. You will be taking this fly out of the back of a fish’s throat! Barbless.