EP Baitfish
This is a fantastic all around baitfish pattern that can be tied in any color combo you can imagine to imitate whatever swims in your waters. The Enrico Puglisi (EP) Fibers don't absorb water, allowing for easier casting, while still pushing plenty of water. You can trim the fibers to any length or profile you want, too, making this such an easy fly to customize to your application. When tying this fly, try to keep it more sparse than you think you need - this fly will bulk up fast with too much material.
How to tie a EP Baitfish Fly
Step
1
Lay a base of thread
Step
2
Tie in a few strands of Krystal Flash at the beginning of the hook bend
Step
3
Prepare your EP Fibers. Take a group of fibers, less than the thickness of the hook shank, and cut them to length. Depending on the size of the fly and your desired profile, you'll want to cut some half length, some a third, and some a quarter length.
Step
4
Starting with your your bottom color, tie the longest length of EP Fibers at the halfway point of your fiber clump on the bottom of the hook shank underneath the krsytal flash. Create a V-shape, with half of the fibers on each side of the hook shank, and secure it in place.
Step
5
For the rest of fibers, there are two methods of securing the fibers. One option is to lay the fibers parallel to the hook shank, tie them in at the halfway point, then fold the forward facing fibers back over themselves and secure them in place. The other option is to pull the fibers around the hook shank in a V, and tie them in place that way.
Step
6
Choose your favorite method of securing your fibers and alternate tying in the top and bottom colors, advancing the thread forward with each bunch of fibers. You can use your shorter lengths as you progress since later you'll be trimming the fibers anyway.
Step
7
Once you approach the eye of the hook, you'll tie in one last bunch of each fiber color. You can tie right up to the eye. Here, you'll tie the top color in at the bunch's halfway point flat against the shank of the hook. Before doing anything else, you'll tie in the bottom color the same way. You can spread the fibers around the hook shank a bit if you like.
Step
8
Take the forward facing fibers from the top and bottom bunches of fibers and pull them backwards and secure them in place.
Step
9
Optionally, add a weed guard at this point
Step
10
Whip finish and cut your thread
Step
11
Taking the fly out of the vice, trim the fibers to a nice baitfish profile. Be sure to brush the fibers forwards and backwards so you can see how the profile will look in the water. Remember you can always trim more, but can't put any fibers back on!
Step
12
Glue a pair of Living Eyes to the fly using your favorite adhesive (super glue works great!). Try to glue directly to the hook shank rather than to the fibers. Trim a tiny bit of fibers if needed. Ensure the eyes are even on each side of the hook.
Step
13
Cover the thread head with UV resin, getting a little onto the base of the fibers as well as the eyes to add durability.