Chenille Purple chenille (medium, one short length)
How to tie it
Start purple thread mid-shank and lay a smooth base back to the bend; keep the whole fly compact over the middle of the hook, leaving the eye clear, because a mulberry is a stubby little ball.
Cut three or four narrow strips of 2mm purple foam and bind them down at the bend by their middles, so equal lengths stick forward and back in a spiky shroud. The shredded foam is what floats this fly like a cork.
Tie in a length of medium purple chenille at the bend, right over the foam tie-down.
Wrap the chenille forward in tight, touching turns to build a fat, round body. Stop at the 70% mark and keep it ball-shaped, not tapered; bind and clip.
Gather the rear-pointing foam strips and pull them forward over the top of the body, binding them down behind the eye. Then fold the front strips back and bind at the same spot, so the foam wraps the body in a shaggy purple ball.
Trim all the foam tag ends short and ragged, leaving the clump uneven on purpose for a rough, berry-like texture.
Whip finish behind the eye, snip the thread, and touch the wraps with a drop of head cement.