How to Tie the Synthetic Clouser Minnow Fly Pattern

Learn how to tie Synthetic Clouser Minnow fly pattern including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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Drawing on Bob Clouser's famous Clouser Minnow, this Synthetic version of the Clouser offers a bit more translucency while being considerably more durable. With a flexible spine, this fly won't foul on you, while an SF Blend body reflects light, offers a little different movement than bucktail, and comes in a million colors. This fly is easy to tie, and one that you can count on anytime you're blind casting into a saltwater environment, however, it's an equally great fly for catching things like bass, pickerel, and pike. Tie the Synthetic Clouser in any color scheme that you like, or get more imitative and use this fly to match baits like sand eels, spearing, or bay anchovies.

Recipe

• Hook: Tiemco 811S (size: 1/0; can be tied in sizes 10 through 5/0)
• Thread: UNI-Mono (size: .004")
• Eyes: Hareline Double Pupil Lead Eyes (color: chartreuse/white/black)
• Tail: Just Add H20 Steve Farrar SF Blend (color: white; can be tied in any color you like)
• Wing: Just Add H20 Steve Farrar SF Blend (color: shaded chartreuse; can be tied in any color you like)

Step One

Begin the pattern by running the thread below the eye to the bend to establish a thread base.

Step Two

Secure a set of dumbbell eyes with helicopter wraps below the hook’s eye. Be sure to leave space to build a head and apply liquid fusion for added durability.

Step Three

We’re using SF Blend as the main ingredient instead of the traditional bucktail. Secure a strand of white fibers in front of the lead eyes, then make additional securing wraps behind the eyes. Since this is the Clouser’s tail, the fibers should extend well past the bend.

Step Four

Start the Synthetic Clouser's body by securing a strand of Flat Diamond Braid behind the eye with loose wraps while pulling the tag-end perpendicular to the shank. Next, clamp down on the thread and cover the Flat Diamond Braid material down to the bend.

Step Five

Finish the body section by making tight, overlapping turns with the braid’s tag-end up to behind the eye, secure the material, then clip the excess fibers.

Step Six

We are now moving on to the next round of SF Fibers. Invert the hook in the rotary, then secure a section of tapered chartreuse fibers below the hook eye. Remember, the chartreuse material should nearly extend to the White SF Blend fibers.

Step Seven

The Synthetic Clouser is ready to hit the water after building up a quick head, then hitting a whip finish.