4 replies to this topic

[Rob G.]

Love-hate relationship with EP, Enrico Puglisi fibers. Yea, you can create some neat looking patterns. And yea it will catch fish in a second, but often only one or two before it's so knotted up that even a toothbrush or comb won't be able to untangle it. Hence the name, one hit wonder. I have found that a non slip loop knot is a must for decent action and a heavy hook is needed to get it down if not using lead.

[mikea]

I have the same issues with "kinky fibre" or alot of the other synthetics. The Pike guy at the woodstock show uses yak hair and claims it doesnt not up, so I'm going to give it a try.

[Rob G.]

Mike, have you ever used "Congo hair" from Fly Tyers Dungeon? Everyone tells me it's the same as EP but a lot less expensive.

The fly above does not require a lot of time to tie so maybe I should consider them disposable, unlike other techniques using EP fibers where you tie in and pull back a piece of material, tie in again and then go to the underside of the hook and do the same, all the length of the shank, that takes forever.

[mikea]

No I have not used Congo but alot striper guys love that stuff, there was a shortage last year for a time period. Let us know how you like it if you try it out. It's fishing season for me, no more vice if i can help it.

Mike, have you ever used "Congo hair" from Fly Tyers Dungeon? Everyone tells me it's the same as EP but a lot less expensive.

The fly above does not require a lot of time to tie so maybe I should consider them disposable, unlike other techniques using EP fibers where you tie in and pull back a piece of material, tie in again and then go to the underside of the hook and do the same, all the length of the shank, that takes forever.

[Tim A]

Mike, have you ever used "Congo hair" from Fly Tyers Dungeon? Everyone tells me it's the same as EP but a lot less expensive.

The fly above does not require a lot of time to tie so maybe I should consider them disposable, unlike other techniques using EP fibers where you tie in and pull back a piece of material, tie in again and then go to the underside of the hook and do the same, all the length of the shank, that takes forever.

I use Congo Hair all the time for fresh and saltwater baitfish, shrimp, crab and crayfish patterns. I agree with the second part of the above statement, but also dont have that many tangle issues. First I tie most of my EP-style patterns such that they are trimmed to shape (the second method discussed above)--less flowing material means a fly that tangles less but has a little less motion (tying them sparse and fishing them in current still produces tons of seductive action). I also tie the heads in a v-style or kinky style that largely prevents tail fouling while providing profile/pushing water. If my fly gets tangled, I hold it underwater facing up current and stroke the fibers back.