Using Clousers

[RHenn]

Being new to salwater flyfishing, I was wondering how to use Clousers. I mean, do you let them bump along the bottom, strip them back fast, or just inch them along? Or all the above? Thanks! Rob

[tailingloop]

All of the above and them some.

Clouser Minnows work well from 'do nothing' retrieves to violent quick retrieves and everything in between.

The fish have to vote on what they wan't however. Different species may prefer different retrieves and even a specific species may prefer different retrieves at different times or conditions.

I have caught fish dead drifting them, dragging them through the mud, letting them free fall, and ripping them through the water by sweeping the rod.

A stop and go retrieve is always a good place to start to take advantage of the jigging action of the fly. Attaching the fly to tippet with a loop knot like the non-slip mono loop knot enhances this behavior.

[JME]

Great fly clousers, but watch your casting, especially when it is windy - they destroy fly rods.

[RHenn]

I will be using my Winston Ibis to cast Clousers, that way when I bang the fly into it, I won't care!

[GILs_GONE_WILD]

Great fly clousers, but watch your casting, especially when it is windy - they destroy fly rods.

Hey Jamie,

That's why I tie mine with bead chain eyes instead of lead or tungsten. I just have to wait a little longer for it to sink.

[JME]

Gil, I need to develop more patience. Since I've been yakking and fishing deeper water the flies and lines have been getting heavier.

Thankfully I have not clousered a rod for a few years now, but a friend of mine had his explode just last weekend after an mistimed cast.

Chance I might be down your way in January, still awaiting confirmation.