Clouser Minnow
Bob Clouser's lead-eye design gives this fly an irresistible jigging action — it dips and rises through the water column with each strip, mimicking a wounded baitfish. Universally effective from trout to tarpon, it is regularly cited as one of the greatest fly patterns ever tied. For trout, use chartreuse-over-white or all-white in smaller sizes. The heavy eyes keep it sink-first, riding hook-up to reduce snags.
- Type
- streamer (Streamer)
- Hook sizes
- #2–8
- Target species
- trout, bass, saltwater
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Straight-eye streamer hook #2–8
- thread: White 6/0
- eyes: Lead dumbbell eyes, sized to hook (chartreuse or red pupils)
- belly: White bucktail, tied behind eyes and swept back
- flash: Pearl or silver Krystal Flash (4–6 strands)
- wing: Chartreuse or olive bucktail over top
Tying steps
- Mount a size 2–8 straight-eye hook; tie in lead dumbbell eyes on top of the shank at the 1/3 mark from the eye.
- Figure-eight wrap the eyes tightly and apply a drop of Zap-A-Gap to lock them.
- Flip the hook upside down; tie in a generous bunch of white bucktail behind the eyes, extending to the bend.
- Add 4–6 strands of pearl Krystal Flash over the belly.
- Flip the hook right-side up; tie in a bunch of chartreuse or olive bucktail over the top.
- Make 4–6 figure-eight wraps between the wings to lock the profile.
- Build a neat head behind the eyes; whip finish and apply epoxy or UV resin to the head.
- Apply epoxy or UV resin over the thread wraps behind the eyes for extra holding strength.