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LIP GRIPPER


THE CLOUSER FLY IS ONE OF THE EASIEST PATTERNS TO TIE. A PINCH OF BUCKTAIL, WEIGHTED EYES AND A LITTLE FLASH IS ALL


IT TAKES TO FOOL MANY FISH. PHOTO: CORY ROUTH


[M U LTI-S P ECI E S] TIE ONE ON I SALMON SLAYER


Hobie pro angler and owner of Kayak Fishing Oregon, Michael Rischer uses a deep water Clouser minnow to fool giant salmon and ling- cod along the Oregon coast.


“I use heavier dumbbell eyes that get the fly down deeper,” he says, “I tie the fly on a 3/0 long-shank hook with blue, gray or even pink bucktail hair, flash and a white belly.” Rischer hits bay inlets where herring gather


and salmon feast. “I tie my Clouser three to five inches long to imitate a big herring and cast it right into the bait schools.” A moderate action, eight-weight fly rod has enough backbone to cast the heavy fly. Rischer recommends a super- sensitive rod to transmit the slightest nibble of a salmon. “Sometimes the fish will just tap the back of the fly,” says Rischer.


40…KAYAK ANGLER


THE SIMPLE CLOUSER MINNOW CATCHES IT ALL BY BEN DUCHESNEY


n 1987, Bob Clouser invented his namesake deep minnow to catch smallmouth bass in the Susquehanna River. Since then, no other pat- tern has caught more fish in more places. This simple streamer fly with weighted eyes is easy to tie and easy to use, making it popular with fish and fishermen.


FRESHWATER FARE


Wilderness Systems pro, Chris LeMessurier, targets smallmouth bass and pike in Michigan’s Huron River and his local lakes with a Clouser minnow. “Clousers are perfect for smallmouth bass and pike that are feeding on small minnows and fish-fry.” “I like natural colors like white and tan,” he


says, “Sometimes I will add Krystal flash.” He recommends a moderate-fast action, five- to six- weight fly rod. “If I am specifically targeting pike, I will bump up to a seven-weight rod,” he says. LeMessurier uses sink tip line and strips quick- ly to trigger strikes. “I can work a heavy Clouser fast to cover more water,” he says, “strip, strip, strip then move to the next spot.”


MULTI–SPECIES MAGNET


Drei Stroman, an Ocean Kayak pro staffer, throws his variation of the Clouser minnow during Florida’s cold season. “A Clouser is effective, be- cause snook, redfish and trout tend to swim near the bottom where it’s warmer,” he says. “But I can also catch jacks, mackerel, ladyfish and snapper that are holding higher in the water column.”


Armed with an arsenal of Clousers, anglers are ready for anything.


Imitating a small minnow, the Clouser fly fools largemouth bass, salmon, redfish and many other species.


With weighted eyes and a heavy body, this fly is easier to cast and work through the water. PHOTOS: CHRIS FUNK


Stroman says, “I tie all the hair on top, with the eyes on the bottom. This allows for more undu- lating movement in the current and when strip- ping.” A traditional Clouser is tied with the eyes on top, and the hair underneath. “I like patterns in black and red, chartreuse and white, or grey and white in sizes #8 to #2,” he says. “For the smaller sizes, I use bead chain eyes instead of dumbbells.” Stroman uses a 10-foot medium-fast, seven- to eight-weight rod. “The extra-long rod makes casting easier,” he explains.


his favorite version of the Clouser minnow and learn how these pros tie their special Clouser.


DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch Ben Duchesney tie


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