How to Tie an Enrico's Finger Mullet Black Tail

Enrico's Finger Mullet Black Tail is a saltwater fly pattern designed to imitate the common mullet baitfish. The mullet is abundant, and large tarpon, sailfish, striped bass, tuna and other game-fish feed heavily on mullet schools. Tie the fly with the specialized fibers created by saltwater angler Enrico Puglisi. The soft fibers are easy to manipulate and shaped to match the profile of a baitfish. Practice working with the fibers to become efficient at building the baitfish body.

Things You'll Need

  • Vise
  • Soft bristle comb
  • Sewing needle
  • White GSP thread
  • Super glue
  • 2/0 saltwater hook
  • White Puglisi fibers
  • Black Puglisi fibers
  • Olive Puglisi fibers
  • Whip finisher
  • Head cement
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Instructions

  1. Building the Tail

    • 1

      Place a sewing needle in the vise and clamp the jaws. Cut a thin strip of white Puglisi fiber from a patch. Hold one end of the fibers on the needle and make five thread wraps to secure the fibers.

    • 2

      Cut a short strip of black Puglisi fiber from a patch. Align one end with the thread and make ten wraps to secure the black fibers to the white fibers.

    • 3

      Tie six half-hitch knots in the thread with a whip finisher. Apply a large drop of super glue to the knots and remove the needle from the fibers. Hold the ends of the fibers for one minute to allow the glue to dry.

    • 4

      Stroke the black fibers with a soft bristle comb. Shape the fibers into a vertical, flat design. Cut a wedge in the fibers to resemble the shape of a tail.

    Tying the Fly

    • 5

      Clamp the hook in the vise. Start the thread at the eye of the hook and wrap it to the one-half point on the shank. Hold the white end of the tail on the hook shank. Make six wraps to secure the fibers and wrap the thread to the hook bend. Return the thread to the hook eye.

    • 6

      Cut a strip of olive Puglisi fibers from a patch. Measure the fibers with the tips meeting the base of the black tail. Secure the fibers at the eye of the hook with ten firm thread wraps.

    • 7

      Remove the hook from the vise and turn it upside down. Cut a strip of white Puglisi fibers and measure to match the olive fibers. Hold the fibers on the bottom of the hook eye and make ten firm wraps to secure the fibers.

    • 8

      Remove the hook from the vise and return it to the upright position. Tie ten half-hitch knots at the eye of the hook with a whip finisher. Cut the thread away from the hook and apply a drop of head cement to the knots. Allow the cement to dry for one minute.

    • 9

      Stroke the sides of the fibers with a soft bristle comb to create a flat profile. Begin each stroke at the eye of the hook and comb the fibers toward the tail. Use scissors to trim the top and bottom of the fly into a baitfish design. Round the head and taper the body until you reach the tail. Press a stick-on eye on each side of the head.