FLY OF THE MONTH
The Bendback Clouser Minnow
Hook: Mustad 34077 or similar – size to match forage fish.
Thread: 3/0 Chartreuse.
Eyes: barbells – red with black eyes or white with black eyes.
Wing: Chartreuse bucktail (or material of choice) over krystal flash (or flash
material of choice) over white bucktail.
Head/nose: Chartreuse thread.
**This is another Bob Clouser pattern. There are a ton of variations of this fly. Tie it in varying lengths and materials.
This fly is very similar to the traditional Clouser Minnow with one distinct difference. Unlike the traditional clouser which has a
belly or bottom wing, this alternative tie has no bottom and is comprised of a single top wing. When tying a bend back fly, the hook
is bent with pliers prior to tying on the wing. The bend ensures that the wing of the fly stays on top when fished. This pattern is a
“bend back” fly without a bend in the hook. The dumbbell eyes ensure that the wing fishes on top. Why tie a clouser this way you
ask? Actually, there are a couple of reasons. If you want to create a bait fish imitation that is sparsely tied or long and thin (a sand
eel for example), a single wing is one way to do it. Secondly, if your time is limited and you need to tie up a bunch of flies real fast,
the single wing saves a lot of time with little, if any, loss of production. It also gets down deep with its thinner and more condensed
profile.
Begin by tying on your dumbbell eyes as you would a traditional clouser. Leave enough room between the eyes and hook eye to
tie in your wing. Tie in your lighter colored material first, followed by the flash material of your choice, and top it with your primary
color. In this instance and for the “Fly of the Month” I’ve used Chartreuse. Whip finish and tie off. Apply head cement.
If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a pattern of the month I can be reached at 203 734-7879 or e-mail
me at pdinice@snet.net.
The Bendback Clouser Minnow
Hook: Mustad 34077 or similar – size to match forage fish.
Thread: 3/0 Chartreuse.
Eyes: barbells – red with black eyes or white with black eyes.
Wing: Chartreuse bucktail (or material of choice) over krystal flash (or flash
material of choice) over white bucktail.
Head/nose: Chartreuse thread.
**This is another Bob Clouser pattern. There are a ton of variations of this fly. Tie it in varying lengths and materials.
This fly is very similar to the traditional Clouser Minnow with one distinct difference. Unlike the traditional clouser which has a
belly or bottom wing, this alternative tie has no bottom and is comprised of a single top wing. When tying a bend back fly, the hook
is bent with pliers prior to tying on the wing. The bend ensures that the wing of the fly stays on top when fished. This pattern is a
“bend back” fly without a bend in the hook. The dumbbell eyes ensure that the wing fishes on top. Why tie a clouser this way you
ask? Actually, there are a couple of reasons. If you want to create a bait fish imitation that is sparsely tied or long and thin (a sand
eel for example), a single wing is one way to do it. Secondly, if your time is limited and you need to tie up a bunch of flies real fast,
the single wing saves a lot of time with little, if any, loss of production. It also gets down deep with its thinner and more condensed
profile.
Begin by tying on your dumbbell eyes as you would a traditional clouser. Leave enough room between the eyes and hook eye to
tie in your wing. Tie in your lighter colored material first, followed by the flash material of your choice, and top it with your primary
color. In this instance and for the “Fly of the Month” I’ve used Chartreuse. Whip finish and tie off. Apply head cement.
If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a pattern of the month I can be reached at 203 734-7879 or e-mail
me at pdinice@snet.net.