Clouser Minnow

Lay thread base on hook. Wrap thread back to approximately the 2/3 point on the hook shank. Create small ball of thread at approximately the 1/3 point on the hook shank. The dumbell eyes will rest against this thread ball in the next step.

Attach dumbell eyes such that they sit against the front of the thread ball created in the previous step. Attach eyes by making numerous wraps of thread across dumbell eyes in both directions. Continue with figure-eight wraps until dumbell eyes are secure. Optional: add drop of head cement for extra security of dumbell eyes.

Tie in 3 inch piece of pearl sparkle braid. Wrap thread back to 2/3 point on shank.

Advance thread in front of dumbell eyes. Select small clump of white bucktail and attach to top of shank immediately in front of dumbell eyes with progressively tighter wraps of thread. Once secure, clip excess bucktail.

Tie down bucktail on top of shank immediately behind dumbell eyes with 3-4 tight wraps of thread.

With bucktail on top of shank, wrap sparkle braid forward, creating a tapered body. Secure sparkle braid immediately behind dumbell eyes with several tight wraps of thread. Trim excess sparkle braid.

The remaining steps can be easier to tie with the hook in the vice point up, however this is personal preference and may be tied either hook up or hook down. Tie in a small clump of pearl krystal flash in front of dumbell eyes on side of shank opposite from white bucktail and trim excess.

Tie in small clump of chartreuse bucktail immediately in front of dumbell eyes on side of shank opposite from white bucktail. Secure with increasingly tight wraps of thread. Trim excess bucktail.

Wrap thread numerous times to cover any exposed bucktail tips. Build smoothly tapered thread head. Whip finish or half-hitch to tie off.

Apply head cement to thread head and fly is ready to go fishing!

This is one of our favorite flies for smallmouth bass in any of our local Lake Erie tribs. The lead dumbell eyes give the fly a nice jigging action that fish cannot seem to resist. The fly rides hook point up to minimize snagging on river bottom. Works great in a variety of colors, favorites include white and chartreuse, white and olive, white and blue, yellow and chartreuse, and yellow and brown. Strip it, drift it, or swing it, this fly is a classic smallmouth producer.