How I Tie the Clouser Minnow

How I Tie the Clouser Minnow
The Clouser Minnow is one the most effective flies ever tied. The Clouser Minnow will catch many different fish in fresh and saltwater. The best thing about the Clouser Minnow is that it is also one of the easiest flies to tie. In this video I show how I like to tie the Clouser Minnow. This version might be the easiest, most effective fly ever.
Materials for the Clouser Minnow:
Hook: amzn.to/3oMExKJ
Bead Chain Eyes: amzn.to/36mxpyr
Buck Tail: amzn.to/2HSkavP
Thread: amzn.to/3lncvmT
Loon UV fly tying kit: amzn.to/2VSYGCx
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My websites: www.alvindedeaux.com/ allwaterguides.com

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

The ultimate guide fly. Super easy to tie and they catch so many different fish!

[@bryanrosensteel3331]

Something like more than 160 different species...I'm not sure if any other artificial lure can make that claim!

[@dariuswhite3002]

What are ur thoughts on mouse patterns

[@henryhernandez3131]

That has to be the quickest fly I have seen tied, nice job!

[@mattmoore1311]

I like your Clouser story. I'm a building inspector, and I did an inspection on a replacement furnace at Henry Koffman's house. He's a really nice guy! He showed me where he used to raise his famous roosters, and showed me a couple of fantasy flies. one was a hummingbird fly, with ruby throat. The other was a house swallow with a darning needle fly in it's mouth. Fun day!

[@Thespanglerangler]

Love the Clouser story. It really seems like the big guys in the world of fly fishing (e.g., who have lures named for them) are always such humble dudes. It’s the gentlemen’s preferred sport!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Yes there are some wonderful people in this sport.

[@tonyblacktopful]

It seems like the more simple patterns catch more fish ...👍🤙

[@BernardYin]

I love the simplification of the pattern. The possibility of making it a little more weedless is cool.

[@user-pw7mh2pf6n]

Thanks. Just started tying for about a month. Glad I found you today. Not too many Texas fisherman tying videos. Old Chief

[@Adroit1911]

I get a big smile on my face every time I see a new video from you brotha! Absolutely love your vibes!!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@SledorFish]

A fly that everyone should have in their box and that is a great story.

[@dustinhinds1999]

Awesome Fly, great story! Love how you take a sport that we all over-complicate, and unapologetically simplify it. Thanks for keeping it reel!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dubovainstruments]

Thanks for sharing so much with us all! Have learned a great deal from your knowledge!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Glad to help!

[@TheWarriorWorkshop]

Ha! Great story Alvin. Your still on my bucket list to fish with. I tried last year but you were all booked up

[@Msquad321]

You are spot-on Alvin. That's the best way to tie 'em. The hard part is finding a species that won't eat it.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Ha ha, you are right about that.

[@gregs2509]

If it catches fish it ain't wrong!

[@marcelsilveira1117]

Lefty preferred tying his Clousers this way. I’ve used the same method for years with great results. I love the simplicity and ease of tying a Clouser this way. Great video Alvin!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Hey thanks for watching.

[@stephensmith5856]

Great story, we all know, and love, guys like that.

[@GeorgeSemel]

I subscribed, reason simply because you like bead chains because it's cheap. I've been tying the Clouser minnow since the early 1980's a great fly, but it's also a hard fly to get right. Less is more with this one. I tie mine for trout. So I use bead chain and # 8 TMC glow bug hook, I tie a Mickey Finn version that is way too good on the Brook Trout I fish for here in New England and in the Canadian Maritimes. Oh and I like being polite myself. You be surprised at how far you can go or get out of a pickle by just being polite . Red Fish well I once ate blacken Red Fish at Chief Paul's just as that craze was getting going. Louisana besides the fishing and hunting there is the food and it's all over.

[@paulrobertson9952]

Thanks Alvin. Nice. Tell Lenee that I’ll be calling her for a spring trip. COVID just messed me up this fall. She’s a great guide.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Thanks Paul, I think she is pretty great as well.

[@MichaelNewmanFilm]

Great advice and tutorials on tying! It's like sitting down and hangin' with a good bud on a rainy day when you can't go fishing, Always fun to watch!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Thanks for that comment.

[@menunya4760]

I just found your channel today while tying foxee clousers, for carp and bass. I like what you do keep it up . Bobs shop was an hour from my house and i spent some time soaking in the experience. I like how you keep things simple but effective.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@markboyle8192]

You sir are a legend! Your’e snake fly is the bomb, fat baby superb and this Clouser tying criminal! You’ll have the Clouser police kicking yer door in soon! I tie all my clousers this way, all the hair underside and couple of strands of krystal. Love it.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@7wt]

You don’t see Abel vices much anymore, so cool

[@mgllopez30]

"Always be nice" Enough said

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Can't go wrong with being nice.

[@travisshort2811]

Crazy simple! I’m with these other guys... I’ve been doing way too much! I’m gonna tie some up and give em a go! Thanks.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Have fun!

[@franksabatino7576]

Thanks for your knowledge and sense of humor Alvin. After watching a classical guitar video, KZbin brought me to your minimalist version of the classic Clouser minnow. Sometimes the algorithm works well...

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

That's so awesome!

[@josephmorris8620]

Here I was thinking the OG Clouser was the simplest baitfish pattern. You said slimming it down and I thought there's no way, it's already simple... shoulda trusted ya Alvin. That thing is slick. Definitely tying a few.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

😂 They catch fish too, thanks for watching!

[@SawyerProducts]

Yesss, we need more Alvin videos always!!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

More on the way!

[@skylazart]

Pretty cool history 😂😂😂

[@rjohnson5120]

Thank you, I really appreciate you demystifying and simplifying these subjects. They say that the epitome of craftsmanship is the ability to strip out everything that doesn’t belong, and what is there serves a fundamental purpose. That’s a great gift you have. Makes it accessible and approachable. And shows your Houston roots. Very “git r done, boy, we ain’t painting the Mona Lisa here!” And yet, the product is always a Mona Lisa. Thanks, amigo.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

You are welcome and thanks for watching.

[@kwowwandryan]

I love these guide fly videos! You made me start tying you made it seem so accessible and easy

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Awesome!

[@TexasTorpedo]

This clouser works great Alvin. Thanks for your take on this classic.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

You're very welcome

[@FishiganMilligan]

Really is the most classic fly! I love it. Catches em all 🙌🏼

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

It really is!

[@paultorrez4483]

Ha! That story at the end.. there’s always one of those guys in every club..

[@JoeKnowsGames]

Just now learning fly tying and bass fishing with flies. Caught 3 nice little small mouth the last few days on this little guy. Thanks Alvin!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Nice work!

[@scotternest1553]

Be nice! A good example to follow, especially this year. Lead on, McDuff!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Absolutely!

[@immersionoutdoors3472]

Great video Alvin, thank you for showing us how easy this fly is.... Keep em coming!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Thanks for watching.

[@willwailes9298]

Clousers are my favorite. Seems to catch everything that swims. I tied one on a #12 a couple days ago, hoping for crappies.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

We have caught crappie with them.

[@sudiste12]

I have to try that one, let's back to the basic ! Thanks for sharing ;)

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

You bet!

[@chaswaitt6854]

That was great bro!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Glad you liked it!

[@peterharrison-edge6493]

Great fly, great story, sweet vice!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Thank you!

[@simmias9397]

I had never thought to use bead chain for eyes...stealing that!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

I wish I could say I thought of it first.

[@Boon-ie1rq]

I was thinking about making a simple clouser minnow with beadchain eyes and a single layer of bucktail but you beat me to it.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

They work great 👍

[@serfish101]

Thanks a lot for sharing experiences

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

My pleasure!

[@outdoorswithjustin]

you good sir are a genius

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Ha ha, just doing what I can.

[@georgefitzhugh6455]

Funny story. However, someone should have introduced Bob to this person just to see the look on his face....😂

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Would have been funny.

[@bjessen1974]

Dig your stuff! I hope to cross paths with you one day ! Great vibes

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Thanks!

[@theodorerzepski8491]

Al, I tie them the same way because the hair never twists around the hook bend. Here in southern New England a pink over chartreuse fly works great on cloudy days. I use crazy glue while wrapping the lead eyes.

[@markboyle8192]

Pink over Chartreuse, never thought of that combo, gonna rattle a few off next session.

[@aaronmiller6118]

I don't fish in the ocean or tie this sort of fly but I like your personality and your flies are beautiful so you'v earned my subscription

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Thanks and welcome!

[@charlieboutin3341]

Thanks so much Alvin! I’ve heard that story on one of Bobs videos, that’s hilarious!😂. It’s awesome that you got to fish with him!!! A fishing legend! Clouser is my favorite! In Fredericksburg Country Flyfisher owner Martin Pursch gave me a couple of 2” on #10 hooks for a pattern when I was just getting started , I went home and tied some 6” on 2/0 hooks, he said wow your going after big uns. That evening caught a 6# Largemouth.🙂 Caught hundreds of fish and all species since.👍👍 Best wishes and Happy holidays to you buddy! 🎣

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Thanks and happy holidays to you as well.

[@Spatchcock2]

Man you make it look so easy. Do you have a video on the fly tying equipment?

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Here you go. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZSUY2utjJ2Fl9ksi=c2TP-zXImLuOUdmn

[@markrigg6623]

Original Abel vice , just like mine . Nice.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Yeah, can't imagine ever needing a new one.

[@isaacpeterson1328]

living legend

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

In my own mind 😂

[@scottborst5430]

That’s the one of the easiest I’ve ever seen

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Fish love them too!

[@munk4hire]

Saw you on meat eater, thanks for what you do as a guide and as an inspiration to others African Americans like myself who grew up watching bass fishing and dreaming of being on the professional bass fishing tour

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Hey Dexter, thanks for watching, let me know if I can do anything else.

[@munk4hire]

Where and when can i book a red fish trip with you? Hoping for the best in 2021.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

@@munk4hire Check out my website: www.alvindedeaux.com/

[@mikekuczynski1552]

The fly that will go on to the end of time

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

For sure.

[@kentyler966]

That’s it? I feel like I didn’t get the fries with my Happy Meal!

[@justhrowit]

Looks like I’m working way too hard to tie mine. Thx for the video.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Yeah those sparse ones get the job done.

[@DeadFishCo]

Hit thumbs down 2 times lol I love these vids! Stay up and thanks for good info

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@theoutdoordad7395]

Great stuff, thank you. Do you fish Clousers on floating or intermediate line for reds? thanks!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

90% floating lines. If not then a sinking tip to get down deep in the channels.

[@lyletaylor554]

What size thread do you use?

[@wonderbread509]

Started trying all my clouser with craft fur, cheaper and I think better movement

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

I have a few of those as well.

[@chillipphi]

Great video Alvin, love the story! Your focus seems a bit off on the camera. Maybe it's set so the vice is in focus but you're just a bit blurry.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Yeah I set the focus on the vise with the lens wide open, didn't notice until I was done with the whole video. Figured nobody needed to see me as long as the fly was in focus. 😅

[@bruceberry7230]

Hey Alvin, Shea McClanahan let me borrow some maps of the Wind River Range when he was working as a rep for JANDD Mountaineering in the N.W. Funny thing is, all the maps have your name on them. This was back in the mid 90's...He told me some stories about you and fly-fishing up in the winds and how good a dude you are! He moved back to Texas before I got the maps back and never realized they were yours until I recently found them going through some old stuff. Lets get in touch so I can get these back to the rightful owner! Feel free to come out my way and chase Steelhead for a few days if you like! Bruce Berry~

[@OpportunityFishing]

You ever try the kreelex? It's like the last vegas casino version of a clouser. Similar profile, but super flashy! I have done well for Bass, Crappie, Rainbow, and Brown trout on them out here is Colorado.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

I have used them, a couple of my guide buddies here tie them.

[@OpportunityFishing]

@@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing great video BTW. I will have to try tying some as sparse as you do. I think alot of flies at the shop are designed to catch fisherman just as much as the fish. I'm willing to bet sparse is better.

[@kandiecandelaria3134]

What would you recommend for a good vise? Not wanting to break the bank but the one that I got with a kit ain’t cutting it!

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

I really don't know. The one I have is over 20 years old so I haven't looked at new ones in a long time. I guess I would say get a good one and it will las forever.

[@joelhenderson7780]

Wow that’s stupid simple, need to try that! I wonder if it works for bones too?

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Oh yeah it will, we used to call this version the crazy Clouser because it was kind of a cross between a Clouser and a Crazy Charlie.

[@paddyfromireland9277]

Hi Alvin. Any tips on casting closer minnows without hitting the rod. By the way, fantastic how to video's, keep them coming.

[@chrishenslick5482]

This was me. I was told to open my loops. Had trouble with that. Ultimately what fixed that for me was buying a seven weight which is just plain better suited to toss larger flies. Also as I got a little further on in my line whipping career I realized a slower action rod worked much better for me and is easier to open your loops up with. Lose power and distance, sure. But having a rod that you match with is far preferable.

[@jamespontrelli7735]

That's what I'm talkin about

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

You know it!

[@ColorfulCOFlyFishing]

How do I fish a clouser?. What retrieves work best ?

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Really any way you want. When the water is warm we strip them fast, when the water gets cold we drag them along the bottom real slow.

[@danjohnson2098]

Just subscribed to your channel.Enjoying your videos.Of many things,the vise seems straight forward awesome engineering.What is the manufacturer and is it still available.Pros/Cons?Thankyou sir.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Hey Dan, thanks for subscribing. That is an old Abel vise. You might find one on eBay, but they are not for sale new as far as I know. No cons and the biggest pro is that it has lasted for 20 plus years.

[@danjohnson2098]

@@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing Thanks for the reply.Keep up the great work.

[@chillipphi]

Alvin, what vice do you have?

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

It's a really old Abel vise.

[@ethan2081]

Great guide!! Is that a Rolex Explorer?

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

It's a Seaholm Rover.

[@ethan2081]

@@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing Thanks for the reply! I'll have to check out Seaholm

[@bencallahan1415]

Alvin: I didn't have any olive thread Me: Wait that illegal

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

😂

[@xeenangamer2988]

What tying vise is that you are using?

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

It's an old Abel vise.

[@itsgottabeinteresting.8388]

Do have to tie these upside down ?

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Not really, but I think it's a little easier.

[@euqnoj1]

Damn... I guess I'm doing too much. Will give it a try...

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

If I was selling them no one would buy them, but the fish love them.

[@euqnoj1]

@@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing You put me on my first redfish on a fly so there's proof that it works! Hopefully I can get back out there soon.

[@jerrypeacock5166]

What people don’t seem to get is, “ most flys are built to catch people”.

[@jerrypeacock5166]

That looks like a naked crazy charlie , I was taught the closer had a tail. Guess it could be a naked closer, or a wing fly. Not to be a pattern snob or nothing, but those that first banged those out should be given props for there work. I wouldn’t say nothing but Bob took the time to show me many years ago. I do agree, he was a nice man. Most back then wouldn’t have taken the time to show and explain to me why it was tied like it was. Also explained how to tweak the pattern for different situations you may encounter.

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Yeah, I remember the first time I saw one tied this way I thought it looked like a Crazy Charlie. Just seemed more like a Clouser. So many flies are just slight tweaks of other flies, just figured Bob should get credit for this one.

[@robertchaney5480]

What’s your favorite combo of colors when you tie a clouser?

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Chartreuse and white if I could only have one color combo.

[@robertchaney5480]

Thank you

[@seansmidwestlawn8991]

Technically, every minnow that Bob Clouser ties is a Clouser Minnow lol

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

Very true! 😂

[@robertjerome1889]

That looks like a bend back..

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

With eyes and a straight hook?

[@civiccrazy001]

What fly vise are you using?

[@CliffGraham]

Looks like an old Renzetti Mastery

[@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing]

It's a really old Abel vise.

[@CliffGraham]

@@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing oh dang! Forgot about those!