smokymountaineer 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2012 Hello, I am new to tying warmwater patterns and have been working on the clouser minnow. After tying 6-7, I have noticed that compared to production tied flies, my minnows seem to have a broader spread to the bucktail when viewed from a superior/overhead perspective. I have attached side and overhead profile pictures for reference. I have used the tips in Bob Clouser's instructional video on youtube and feel that I am replicating the steps appropriately. Specifically, when I tie each bunch of bucktail to the hook I am doing so such that it lays flat on the surface of the hook rather than spinning around and creating a "broom" as he describes. From what Bob said and from what I have read, the flat profile is pretty important to the overall look and function of the fly so I want to fix this problem before I tie up too many. I would really appreciate any help you can provide regarding this problem, as well as any other recommendations you may have given the pictures (I apologize for the poor quality). Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
famill00 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2012 Are you only using the hair that comes from the top 2/3 of buck tail? If you are using hair from the bottom of the bucktail (the non pointed end), it is more hollow and will flair. -Forrest Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
agn54 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2012 I agree with Forrest. Also, like all natural materials, not all bucktails are the same. Some have softer hair all around than others and will flair less, so this is something you can look for when buying them in the future. In any case, using the hair near the tip will lessen flair significantly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smokymountaineer 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2012 You all nailed it! Having never used bucktail, I started clipping from the bottom as I do on a piece of craft fur/polar fiber. I just tied up another using the tips and it significantly reduced the flair. Thanks for the prompt and helpful advice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
famill00 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2012 If you want really good buck tails, order them from Bob Clouser's website. -Forrest Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2012 IMO the others have nailed your issue. However, what you've tied will still catch fish. One of the great things about the Clouser style fly, is you can vary it a lot of different ways, and even that flared hair look can have it's uses. Plus, since that type hair is more hollow, so is more buoyant, using a bit of it you can vary the fall rate of the fly some, so you get a slower fall, which can have some benefits sometimes. IMO, and experience, there is no such thing as bucktail that can't be used! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2012 Hi SmokeyM, Your flies look just fine to me...real fish catchers IMHO. If you really want to cut down on the flair and thin the profile of the fly...tie looser wraps on the trailing end of the bucktail (tightening it as you move towards the hook eye)...this should reduce flairing. Also, you might try a few flies tied much sparser, with perhaps 1/2 as much material as you've used in the flies in your pics. Regards, Henry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smokymountaineer 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2012 Thanks again for help and comments! Henry, I also tried another using less bucktail and was very satisfied with the results. I clearly need to spend some more time around here picking up some of the knowledge! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nindja 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2012 Hello, I am new to tying warmwater patterns and have been working on the clouser minnow. After tying 6-7, I have noticed that compared to production tied flies, my minnows seem to have a broader spread to the bucktail when viewed from a superior/overhead perspective. I have attached side and overhead profile pictures for reference. I have used the tips in Bob Clouser's instructional video on youtube and feel that I am replicating the steps appropriately. Specifically, when I tie each bunch of bucktail to the hook I am doing so such that it lays flat on the surface of the hook rather than spinning around and creating a "broom" as he describes. From what Bob said and from what I have read, the flat profile is pretty important to the overall look and function of the fly so I want to fix this problem before I tie up too many. I would really appreciate any help you can provide regarding this problem, as well as any other recommendations you may have given the pictures (I apologize for the poor quality). Thanks! You can use less thread pressure when wrapping the bucktail on the shank and then add a drop or two of superglue at the end to help hold the ends together. Broom variation gives of a bigger profile and lets fish feel the fly through their lateral lines. Better in off coloured water where visability is an issue. Peace Nindja Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
