Clouser's Flies: Tying and Fishing the Fly Patterns of Bob Clouser

by Bob Clouser

The story of and instructions to tie the popular and successful Clouser Deep Minnow and its variations, including Purple Darter, Clouser Crayfish, EZ Popper, Rattle Clouser, Bright Sides Minnow, and moreChoose effective hooks, thread, eyes, glue, natural and synthetic fibersRecipes, instructions, methods, and variations are included, with color photos to tie 17 flies designed to catch trout, carp, smallmouth, pike, redfish, albacore, and moreClouser's approach to fly design begins and ends onstream, with a lot of time spent in between at the workbench. Careful observation of the behaviors, habitats, and physical features of the foods fish eat is essential to developing a fly that looks and acts like the real thing. But the pattern must also pass rigorous standards of durability, ease of casting, and most importantly, consistently catching fish before it can be called a winner. Including variations on his famous original Deep Minnow, Clouser presents recipes for seventeen of his most successful patterns for baitfish, subsurface freshwater foods, and surface flies with detailed explanations and superb full-color photographs to accompany every step. In sections devoted to materials and tying techniques, Clouser offers insight into his methods and provides a solid foundation for designing flies with confidence.

184 pages, Hardcover

First published December 27, 2005

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I think about the ultimate streamer/baitfish pattern, the Clouser minnow comes to mind. This particular pattern has proven itself in freshwater and saltwater environs. The noted outdoor writer, Lefty Kreh, estimates he's taken eighty six different species of fish on the Clouser minnow.

Ok, I'll just admit it: Bob Clouser is a genius who happens to display this supreme aptitude with a fly vice, fur, hook, and feathers. Clouser's Flies represents a textual and photographic effort into the mind and tying philosophy of Bob Clouser, the man responsible for the most successful fly in modern fly fishing history. The book provides clear tying instructions and precise photography for Clouser's favorite flies.

A must have for the serious tier, particularly for those whom have an affinity for warm water environs.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to wait to review this one until I had tied and fished more of the patterns in the book, but it's not necessary.

The book's strengths are obvious: clear descriptions, and big, colorful pictures. I've been tying Clousers for years, but one night with the book immediately improved them. Clouser gives detailed instructions even down to the level of how to properly anchor your eyes, how to epoxy, etc.

This one does have advice on how to fish the patterns. While it's certainly enough to get you started, I think it works best as a partner to his Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass book, which goes into far more detail.

So, yeah, if you're tying for smallies, this one's probably essential.

[mick ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and informative book

If you are a beginning fly tyer this is a great resource that will give you direction for tying great flies to add to your collection.