I love this kind of editing that you can decline almost ad infinitum depending on the fish you want to imitate. In addition, the point upwards allows either to scrape the bottom, if it is sandy, or to skim the weed beds without snagging, which is an important asset. And besides, it's not difficult to assemble! Thank you for this setup. All the best
The Clouser minnow is such a great fly! It took me a few years to find my groove when tying it, but now that I have I really appreciate them. I was chatting with a friend who was in the US at a show watching Bob Clouser tie one of his flies. Part way through, this guy stands up and says "That's not how you tie a Clousers Minnow!" He got up and stormed out. I wonder at what point he found out who was doing the presentation? Geez! I have a great lot of mylar tubing and I've incorporated it into my version of the Clouser minnow. I tie them for salt and I really enjoy the pattern. Thanks Davie! It's always a pleasure!!
Good representation of Bob's Fly. I have tied his fly using his version and his Son Bobby's version. Bobby said he ties his eyes in slightly different from his dad's. Both great guys have know them since the mid 70's. Cut my teeth on fly tying with Bob. Just a fun family .
David I was a great tie you are such a great fly tire! I fish those Clowser‘s in Pennsylvania and farm ponds catch largemouth smallmouth perch bluegill it’s a great fly from all Bob! Now you inspired me to tie some of those but I had shoulder surgery yesterday so I can’t do anything for at least 6 to 8 weeks so this is killing me I just be watching fly time videos for two months so think about me when you’re spinning up all these flies ultra fast i got one arm over here across the pond! LOL
Perfect proportions! An excellent example. As some commenters noted, the Clouser will work on almost any fish if tied in the right size & color combination. I used to use it in smelt colors in Maine & had success with both trout & landlocked salmon. Match the local forage fish & have fun.
this and the half and half are the only two patterns on the end of my tippet for smallies here in SE Ohio…. great interpretation on a timeless pattern!!
THE fly for striped bass here in New England. Exquisitely done,mine look like beggars compared to yours,but stripers are charitable fish as they roar off deep in your backing.🐟
Nice Davie, thanks. I dont fish saltwater, but Ive started fly fishing for perch over the last few winters between trout seasons. Im always on the lookout for interesting fry patterns to take up the lochs so I might have a go at this one. All the best.
Fantastic!!! I use CDMinnows during the las 3 decades in fresh and salt. The N1 streamer without doubts. This version is great, Davie. I also add transparent epoxi in front of the eyes for more durability and I always use white thread and then I paint the back (head) on black, leaving the front (mouth/throat) on white.
Only Mr. McPhail can tie a clouser and make it both interesting and educational! One thing I would add to this, Dave: I find that a clouser tied as sparsely as possible seems to work best, especially for striper, and colors should also be kept as simple as possible. All white, all chartreuse, or all yellow for daytime fishing, and all black (with red flash) for night. Just a pinch of hairs, top and bottom, which creates a hollow, almost translucent sillhouette, and just as sparse with the flash. Just my two cents! Thanks for the great videos!
What brand of dumbells do you use? I find so many of them not having the cone shape, v shape where you tie the thread but having a straight space between which makes it hard to get the eyes tied in the middle of the eyes.
Great tying as always it's the first time I've seen someone use tinsel on the body . Usually it's just left with thread. Also what type of bobbin's are you using are you still using Tiemco's ?
Hi Justin, It is the Tiemco bobbin holders that I use mostly, I do have some others though I rarely use them..I'm glad you liked the fly.. All the very best Davie
Lovely tied fly Davie. My number was pulled out of the December draw for the Bristol Water fly box but to date I have not received the prize. Can you enlighten me please.
Hi John, I have sent you three messages asking you to get in touch but I have not received a reply as your box is sitting here waiting for you...I have to say though I have another three sitting as well so there's must be something wrong somewhere..I am going to try another email address I use so hopefully this may help...I will be doing this straight away so look out for it please.... ATB Davie..
Hi JDM, I used to work for a fly tying company a few years ago and these eyes were bought in bulk from China, I did a search online and found some which are much the same so I have attached a link for you to see.. All the very best Davie.. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LNBH134?ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_F8CTEBY5H0NPB538XV9N&fbclid=IwAR064CcN3Jwqcii3fWuKUdh9ZqqdLv5XkGZLvn-MSftam-RjtRJ05aGCqzc&th=1
Hi Norman, I would only be guessing how hard the metal is of the law but I do know that Lawrence made guns so he could have been using the same metal for the jaws of the vices.. All the very best Davie
There is also a skinny water Clouser that I use on shallow streams where the deep water drags bottom. Only difference is bead chain eyes instead of lead or brass.
Hi menigfiskebolle, If I was tying them in different weights to fish them deep I would just use lead dumbbells for the deepest version up to plastic eyes for the lightest..I think this is the only difference but I could be wrong.. All the very best Davie..
As I’ve heard the story here in Pennsylvania, the full name of the fly is the Clouser Deep Minnow, no matter how it’s tied. That name was given to it by Lefty Kreh, another well-known angler from the Mid-Atlantic states (who recently died). Most people shorten the name by leaving out the word “deep” and just calling it a Clouser Minnow.
