Learn how to tie the EP Baitfish including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.


Material List:

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The EP Baitfish is an insanely versatile minnow pattern. This fly can be used in freshwater and in saltwater, for Bass, Pike, Stripers, Tarpon, and just about any predatory fish that swims. The pattern is easy to tie because it's repetitive and uses only a few materials. The EP Baitfish can also be tied in a variety of color schemes to imitate just about any kind of bait. If you're a streamer angler and you prefer targeting predatory fish, keep a few of these in your box for the next time you're out on the water.



Step One:



Grab a thin chunk of Pink EP Fibers, fold it in half, and tie it in on the underside of the hook. Invert the hook and tie the Pink EP Fibers on the bottom of the hook shank after folding them in half.


Step Two:



Turn the hook shank back over and tie in a similarly sized piece of Chartreuse EP Fibers on the top of the hook shank. Catch the fibers with the Mono Thread to fold them in half then tie them down on the hook shank above the pink fibers.


Step Three:



Again, invert the hook and tie in a thin selection of Pink EP Fibers on the underside of the hook. This is essentially the same tie as the first pink fibers.


Step Four:



Similarly, tie in another piece of chartreuse fibers on top of the hook shank.


Step Five:



Continue trading pink and chartreuse fibers on the bottom and top of the hook shank until you reach a point just behind the hook eye.


Step Six:



At this point, take a selection of Pink EP Fibers that are significantly shorter than the previous selections and tie them in on the bottom of the hook shank to start the head of the fly. Tie in two or three of these shorter selections of EP Fibers in the same style as steps 1-4.


Step Seven:



Finally, tie in an even shorter group of Chartreuse EP Fibers on top of the hook shank and spread them around the shank. Similarly, tie in a group of Pink EP Fibers on the bottom of the shank in the same style.


Step Eight:



Pull both the pink and chartreuse fibers back and tie them down to create the head of the fly. By pulling these fibers that were hanging over the hook eye back and tying them down you create a full head that can be trimmed to length. Throw a whip finish and cut your thread.


Step Nine:



Begin trimming the head of the fly. Trim the fly slowly to make sure you don't take off too much at once. Create a Baitfish profile to match whatever kind of Baitfish you're trying to imitate.


Step Ten:



Continue trimming the fly until you have a profile you're happy with.


Step Eleven:



Add Flymen Fish-Skull Living Eyes to the fly. Start by putting the glue on the eye itself and use scissors to press the eye down onto the shank of the hook. Hold it for 5 seconds and repeat on the other side of the fly.


Step Twelve:



Cover the thread wraps, fill in between the eyes, and fully secure the eyes with Loon Fly Finish. The Fly Finish mask will add durability and weight to the head of the fly.



And that's Jared's EP Baitfish. Again, this pattern can be tied in a variety of colors to imitate almost any Baitfish in either saltwater or freshwater. This is a must-have pattern for any angler targeting aggressive fish.


Questions? 


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