If you are somewhere on warmwater this weekend and you see a guy in a canoe with a bent fly rod most of the time it will be our old mate Chad Johnson. Chad was in yesterday raving about recent times on Crooked Creek and the Buffalo river. Storms put paid to the fishing last weekend but he’s sure to be out this weekend.
His fly of choice a sparse, subtle tie of a tan Clouser Minnow.
The Clouser surely has to be one of the greatest of all ties, originally a smallmouth pattern from vise of Bob Clouser. It has now taken a ridiculous number of species in salt and freshwater all over the globe. Tie it traditional with bucktail, or perhaps newer versions from craftfur or other synthetics.
Always have some in your fly box, including for trout.
We have a big selection of traditional and other variants on this pattern, but if you want to try tying them yourself watch these two videos from the man himself Bob Clouser.
Tying the Clouser Part 1
Tying the Clouser Part 2