Paul,

I have not used a true Clouser with a Tenkara rod and do not see myself using them. They are too heavy to cast effectively. I have used panfish charlies or crazy charlies with large bead chain eyes. When fishing deep water you are correct about getting the fly up to the surface to cast. It is not impossible to do. To get your fly to the surface you need to give your line a few roll type cast with the slack or a couple circle cast like your doing a double snake roll spey cast. This should bring your fly up to the surface but gives you a lot slack in your line. Just make a couple regular cast and you start all over. Hopes this helps.

Mike P.