the Whitewater "clouser" - a guide's pattern

[Capt Bob LeMay 0]

Here's a step by step one of the ways I do "clousers" (most I know consider that to be a tying style as opposed to a specific pattern...). This particular version, on a 2/0 Mustad 34007 hook,  is a standard for working shorelines in the backcountry of the Everglades - we also use it in freshwater when the fish are larger and aggressive -but in brighter colors (see April patterns) and in different sizes... but at one time or another we use "clousers" as small as size #2 and as large as 3/0 depending on what forage is present... This fly is almost foul-proof and the wire weedguard allows an angler to toss his bug into the bushes and actually slide it back out without snagging up (very handy in my area... this version was named for Whitewater Bay where it gets a lot of use...). 

 

Note.... the wire size is dependent on hook size - for hooks 1/0 and larger -#5 wire, for hooks #2 and #1 we use #4 wire...

 

Hook:  Mustad 34007 2/0

Eyes:  large beadchain (the same size as the pull cord on vertical blinds....

Thread :  Danville's flat waxed (or equivalent in 210 denier...), fl Fire orange, fl. green

Body:  double course of orange tying thread (also used to secure eyes..)

Wing:  white bucktail twice the hook's length, with fl. green bucktail over (after adding flash...)

Flash:  pearl Flashabou between white and green wing... 

Weedguard:  Malin's trolling wire, coffee colored #5

Finish:  none, after tying and before wire is bent into position, thin superglue on head (Krazy Glue)

 

Start thread one beadchain width behind hook eye, do a double course to hookpoint then back, figure eight eyes into position... tie off.. 

 

this pic shows the weedguards ready to use - they'll be tied in by the hairpin end and remain sticking out as the fly is completed (you might need a band-aid or two learning to use them....)

 

 Reverse hook to ride point up, change thread to fl. green then tie in weedguard by the bend pointing straight forward as shown.  Learning to complete the pattern with that wire sticking out... might require a couple of band-aids until you get the hang of it.. 

 

first part of the wing tied in place, then 6 strands of pearl flashabou is wound around the barrel of your bobbin and slid into place on top of the white bucktail (strands have staggered ends..).

 

 

the fiinal fl. green bucktail is tied in on top of the white, then the head is completed, whip finished and tied off. Now raise the wire a bit (to get it away from the hook eye - then coat the head lightly with thin super glue.. 

 

Once the super glue dries bend weedguard into place then trim it at the hook's barb and do a small final bend and you're done.

 

 

[Poopdeck 0]

Only one of the six pictures is showing for me. I can only see the 2nd picture of bent wires in a tube. Is it like that for everybody or just me?

[feathers5 0]

That's all I can see, too.

[Capt Bob LeMay 0]

Hmmm... obviously I've screwed up somewhere... will try to sort it out later today.... Believe it's fixed now - someone please comment and let me know if the pics are in place the way they  should be...

[Heff2 0]

Looks good now, that’s a great looking weed guard 

[Capt Bob LeMay 0]

Almost every fly I tie for the backcountry will have one of these weedguards (If I can figure out how....  still don't have good weedguard for poppers... )

[Mudfish620 0]

3 hours ago, Capt Bob LeMay said:

Hmmm... obviously I've screwed up somewhere... will try to sort it out later today.... Believe it's fixed now - someone please comment and let me know if the pics are in place the way they  should be...

The photos are working fine for me on the website, just not in the email notification.This wasn’t the only thread that had the same issue with in the email pics.  Thanks for sharing this!

[Poopdeck 0]

15 hours ago, Capt Bob LeMay said:

Hmmm... obviously I've screwed up somewhere... will try to sort it out later today.... Believe it's fixed now - someone please comment and let me know if the pics are in place the way they  should be...

All fixed. I can see every picture.