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Chartreuse Hot Pink Clouser Minnow Bunny

How to Tie a Clouser Minnow

How to Tie a Clouser Minnow and list of Variations

The Clouser Minnow is a versatile and highly effective fly pattern, originally designed by Bob Clouser in 1987 for smallmouth bass but widely used for many species of freshwater and saltwater fish. Below, I’ll walk you through the basic steps to tie a standard Clouser Minnow, followed by a list of popular variations.

 

How to Tie a Basic Clouser Minnow


Materials Needed:


    • Thread: 3/0 or 6/0 Semperfli waxed nylon (color to match or contrast)
    • Eyes: Dumbbell eyes (lead or brass, size small to large depending on sink rate desired)
    • Underwing: White bucktail or synthetic fiber
    • Overwing: Chartreuse bucktail or synthetic fiber

Clouser Minnow for all Species of Fish

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Tying Steps:

 

    1. Prepare the Hook: Secure the hook in the vise with the point down (standard position). Start your thread at the eye and wrap a base layer back to about one-third of the shank behind the eye.
    2. Attach the Eyes: Position the dumbbell eyes on top of the hook shank, about one-third back from the eye. Use figure-eight wraps to secure them tightly. Add a drop of super glue or head cement for durability if desired. Wrap the thread back to the bend of the hook.
    3. Tie in the Underwing: Cut a sparse clump of white bucktail (about 20-30 hairs). Measure it to about 2-2.5 times the hook shank length. Tie it in on the far side of the hook (opposite the hook point) at the bend, just above the barb. Secure with a few tight wraps, keeping it sparse to maintain movement.
    4. Add Flash (Optional): Tie in 3-6 strands of Krystal Flash or Flashabou on top of the white bucktail, slightly longer than the bucktail. Trim excess.
    5. Tie in the Overwing: Select a clump of chartreuse bucktail (slightly less than the underwing). Tie it in on the same side as the underwing, directly over the flash. Secure it tightly and trim the butts at an angle for a tapered head.
    6. Finish the Head: Wrap the thread around the dumbbell eyes in figure-eight patterns to cover the thread base and build a small, neat head. Whip finish at the hook eye and trim the thread.
    7. Final Touches: Apply head cement or UV resin to the thread wraps around the eyes and head for durability. Trim any stray fibers for a clean look.

 

Tips:

 

    • Keep the materials sparse to ensure the fly swims naturally and sinks properly.
    • The dumbbell eyes invert the hook, making it ride point-up, which reduces snags.

 

List of Clouser Minnow Variations

The Clouser Minnow’s simplicity allows for endless adaptations. Here are some popular variations tailored to different species and conditions:

    1. Clouser Deep Minnow (Original)
        • Colors: White (underwing), Chartreuse (overwing)
        • Flash: Crystallized Flash
        • Target: Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, trout
        • Notes: The classic combo, often with lead eyes for deeper water.
    1. Saltwater Clouser
        • Colors: White (underwing), Olive, Gray, or Tan (overwing)
        • Flash: Flashabou or Holographic Flash
        • Hook: Stainless steel (e.g., Tiemco 811S)
        • Target: Bonefish, redfish, striped bass, tarpon
        • Notes: Use larger sizes (1/0-4/0) and lighter brass eyes for shallow flats.
    1. Peacock Clouser
        • Colors: White (underwing), Peacock herl or dark green synthetic (overwing)
        • Flash: Pearl Flashabou
        • Target: Trout, bass, panfish
        • Notes: Mimics small baitfish or leeches; peacock herl adds iridescence.
    1. Redfish Clouser
        • Colors: Tan or Gold (underwing), Brown or Olive (overwing)
        • Flash: Copper Flashabou
        • Target: Redfish, speckled trout
        • Notes: Subtle colors for murky water; often tied with weed guards.
    1. Bonefish Clouser
        • Colors: Pink (underwing), White or Tan (overwing)
        • Flash: Sparse pearl Krystal Flash
        • Eyes: Small brass or bead chain (lighter sink rate)
        • Target: Bonefish
        • Notes: Tied sparse and small (size 4-8) for flats fishing.
    1. Black Death Clouser
        • Colors: Black (underwing and overwing)
        • Flash: Purple or blue Flashabou
        • Target: Striped bass, largemouth bass, pike
        • Notes: Great for low-light conditions or murky water.
    1. Chartreuse & White Clouser
        • Colors: White (underwing), Bright Chartreuse (overwing)
        • Flash: Chartreuse Krystal Flash
        • Target: Freshwater bass, saltwater species
        • Notes: High-visibility combo for stained water.
    1. Foxee Clouser
        • Colors: White (underwing), Red fox squirrel tail (overwing)
        • Flash: Gold Flashabou
        • Target: Smallmouth bass, trout
        • Notes: Bob Clouser’s variation with natural fur for a softer profile.
    1. Crazy Charlie Clouser Hybrid
        • Colors: White or Pearl (underwing), Pink or Orange (overwing)
        • Eyes: Bead chain
        • Target: Bonefish, permit
        • Notes: Blends Clouser and Crazy Charlie styles for tropical flats.
    1. EP Fiber Clouser
        • Colors: Any combo (e.g., White/Blue, Gray/Olive)
        • Materials: EP Fibers or similar synthetics instead of bucktail
        • Target: Tarpon, snook, jacks
        • Notes: Bulkier profile with synthetic fibers for bigger predators.

Customization Tips

    • Eyes: Use heavier lead eyes for deep water, brass for mid-depth, or bead chain for shallow presentations.
    • Colors: Match the local baitfish—think gray/white for mullet, brown/tan for shrimp, or blue/white for sardines.
    • Size: Scale up for predators like musky, pike, grouper, mahi mahi, dorado, or tarpon (2/0-4/0), or down for trout, bass, and panfish (size 1-10).

The Clouser Minnow’s beauty lies in its adaptability—experiment with materials and colors to suit your fishery! Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into any specific variation or technique.

Tying a Hot Pink Clouser Minnow

Put Hook in vise to begin tying a Hot Pink Clouser Minnow
Put Hook in vise to begin tying a Hot Pink Clouser Minnow
Tie on Dumbbell Eyes
Tie on Dumbbell eyes
Tie in Bunny Strip and build a thread base, I also cover thread with Sally Hansen's.
Tie in Bunny Strip and build a thread base, I also cover thread with Sally Hansen's.
Hot Pink Clouser Minnow Tie in Semperfli Ice Straggle
Hot Pink Clouser Minnow Tie in Semperfli Ice Straggle
Tie in Back on Hot Pink Clouser Minnow
Tie in Back on Hot Pink Clouser Minnow
Tying materials for a Hot Pink Clouser Minnow
Tying materials for a Hot Pink Clouser Minnow
Tie in Belly on Hot Pink Bunny Clouser Minnow
Tie in Belly on Hot Pink Bunny Clouser Minnow
Wrap Fl. Pink Semperfli Ice Straggle Forward and Tie in Crystallized Flash.
Wrap Fl. Pink Semperfli Ice Straggle Forward and Tie in Crystallized Flash
Tie in Back on Hot Pink Bunny Clouser Minnow and Tie Off.
Tie in Back on Hot Pink Bunny Clouser Minnow and Tie Off
Glue on Eyes with Semperfli No Tack Ultra Thin
Glue on Eyes with Semperfli No Tack Ultra Thin

Pick up a few Hot Pink Bunny Clouser Minnows or tie your own.

Conclusion of How to Tie a Clouser Minnow

Clouser Minnows are versatile they are endless locations they work extremely well. Fly fishing the Gulf of America from the tip of Florida, along the Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana Coast and don’t miss Texas Redfish.  Don’t for get to fish the Everglades and the Florida Keys Flats for Bonefish or on up along the Carolina’s for Redfish and Stripers all the way to Montauk.  If your not a purist in the dry fly sense I have used size 10’s on Livingston’s Spring Creeks for trophy size trout and size 8-6’s on the Yellowstone River in Montana.

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