Puglisi Style Flies

[Mark Patenaude]

I've really gotten into tying Puglisi flies as of late. I've caught a number of species on this type of fly and have been experimenting with different techniques to get the shape and density of the fibers just right and I think I now have it perfected. You won't find any tying instructions or videos from Enrico. I think he thinks he is keeping is secret of something, but if you study one of them at a local fly shop you can pretty much derive how he dresses them.

The color combinations are many and when tied on a TMC 811S (or equal hook) they are a killer pattern. Please post a message if you are interested in how I've been tying them up and I'd be glad to share with you.

Additionally, I'd like to make everyone aware that there are a number of great fly tying sites that have been popping up that have videos that illustrate specific patterns as well as techniques. There are also a great number of pod casts that you can download to your iTunes and watch as well. If anyone is interested I'd be happy to post the links.

Mark

[jskowron]

Mark,

I always think of Enrico's flies as being big things for saltwater. What are you catching on 'em? Would love to see some pictures of your flies, as well as some step by steps, if you have any.

Jeff

[bartman]

Mark,

I'd be interested in the sites. I'm fooling around with snowshoe rabbit's foot today and would be curious to see what type of patterns to tie with it besides the obvious.

Bart

[Mark Patenaude]

Puglisi started out tying patterns for salt water but branched into warm water and most recently cold water species such as trout.

All of the patterns are essentially the same except for their color combinations, size and density of the bodies.

I'm sorry I don't have any step by step directions like I've done in the past but here is the written process they I typically follow

Any stainless salt water hook, typically used for clousers will work for this fly.

From the hook bend to approx. the half way point you wrap some "sparkly" material like mylar tinsel, crystal braid, etc... (Puglisi does not do this but I have found it add an additional fish attracting element).

Select you belly color (white, bright white, cream, etc...) and cut off a hank about the thickness of a pencil.

Select you upper color(s) and if using one color, cut off the same amount, if using multiple colors cut the equivalent of a pencil thickness.

Pull out a thin amount of upper and lower colors and tie them in at the point where the sparkly butt material ends. Be careful when separating the material as it will knot up on you very easily and you'll have to pick it apart with your bodkin.

Tie in the first sections so they run long, approx. 2x the length of the hook. Keep the density of the fibers quite thin. Now, visually divide the balance of the distance between the first section and the back of the hook eye into 3 or 4 sections (depending on the hook size).

Move your thread forward to the next tie in point and tie in the belly, rotate the vise and tie in the top color(s). Contnue this until you complete the last section behind the hook eye.

If you decide to use multiple colors on the top, alternate the colors (every other one).

If you wish to add a color down the flanks of the fly, add them in long enough to reach the end of the first section tied in but tie them in at the 2nd to last section to be tied in.

When all colors are tied in, blend them all by combing them them from head to tail.

Now, to me, here is the important part. With your comb, comb all the material out and away 90 degrees from the hook shank, you'll probably see that you have varying length of materials. Take the longest pair of scissors you have, place them behind the hook eye at a 45 degree angle to the shank and trim the fibers. This will give you the front tapered shape.

Depending on how deep and long you want the fly, pick a point along the 45 degree cut and trim the fibers from that point toward the tail in a straight line on both the top and bottom.

Comb out the fibers again to find the wild ones that didn't get combed out at a 90 degree angle on the first try and trim them.

Please you doll eyes (if desired) where you would normally place them, w/superglue.

Note: these fibers will hold Sharpie or Prismacolor marking pens very well if you decide to add accent colors, spots, etc...

Additionally, Puglisi makes flash material that you can add in with the fibers. I suggest tying them in at the standard material tie in points and not as a separate tie in point as they will create stripes.

I hope you understood all of this.

Mark

[Mark Patenaude]

Bartman:

Besides the "Usual" and using the material for emerger wings and shuck tails I don't know of many others.

However, send me a personal email and I'll cut/paste all my bookmark address to the pattern sites that I have. I'm on my wireless MacBook upstairs right now and all the info if on my iMac G4 in my tying room.

Mark

[wintershope]

The snow shoe rabbit feet also make great spinner wings

[Mark Patenaude]

I'll agree they make decent spinner wings but they require a double tie in vs. a single length of material such as Z-lon and the like. They are also very slippery and need to be trimmed up once they are tied in as the hair goes in all direction. I prefer Z-lon or organza for my wings. I rarely use hen back.