EP Senyo’s Chromatic Brush – Must have material for Intruders

I have been tying with a variety of Enrico Puglisi’s brushes for about three years now, many in my saltwater flies and also as elements of my steelhead and salmon flies. In the most basic terms, these brushes have a wire core and look like a hackle made of various natural and synthetic barbules. EP brushes come in many widths, materials, and colors – they make great bodies, butts, and principal components of flies.

The latest of these EP brushes I have used is the series of Chromatic Brushes and Sommerlatte’s UV Brushes. These are offered in 1.5″ and 3″ widths, include natural hair plus synthetic flash, and are both easy to use and very fish-catchy.

One of the most effective flies one may tie and fish for both steelhead and salmon is constructed by winding on several turns of a Chromatic Brush at the rear of the tube or Intruder Shank, applying a slim tinsel body, adding weight (or not), and then winding on several turns of the same or different color Chromatic Brush at the front of the fly.

You may use the 1.5″ brush at the butt and the 3″ at the head of the fly, or use the 3″ at both ends of the fly, depending on your preference. One may top the fly with a marabou hackle and wing of Arctic Fox hair or ostrich (or not), again depending on your preference. Adding extra Krystal Flash topping or Real Fake Jungle Cock is another option too.

Main point here is that the EP Chromatic and Sommerlatte’s Brushes offer a ready to wrap alternative to spinning our own butts and hackles for our steelhead and salmon flies. the colors are very fishy, the materials are UV iridescent (if you care), and these flies swim enticingly and the fish eat them.

Here are a few photos of the material and two flies I have tied with the EP Brushes.

Have fun with these brushes, they will save you time and create great flies to swing.  And yes, you may use these brushes under marabou if you want the traditional feather look to finish off your flies, same with Guinea – simply tie the Chromatic Brush, then wind the hackle in front of the brush.

A few of my favorite colors: blueberry; Copper Candy; Flame (this is a hot orange); Midnight; Ruby; Chrome Black; Tiger (Orange with black highlights); Purple Rain; and Joker.

I should mention that the Chromatic and Sommerlatte’s Brushes are available in muted hues perfect for imitating a variety of baitfish too.

Enjoy. This material makes a wonderful addition at the fly bench.

Jay Nicholas