Ruben’s tube version of the world-famous Clouser Minnow shows its adaptability as a tube fly, which makes it even more potent. Like any fly needing a long shank, the Clouser Deep Minnow fly can be much better tied on a tube. A tube, rather than a heavy, long shank hook, offers the caster a better delivery [weight], management of the hook used, and probably extended life of the fly as it tends to ride up the leader away from being mauled by the fish.
Bob Clouser and the Deep Minnow
By Skip Clement
My initial encounters with Bob Clouser, a pivotal figure in the fly fishing community, took place at Chuck Furimsky’s Fly Fishing Shows in the East, likely in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. By 1985, Clouser’s minnow fly had gained significant recognition, earning a place in the esteemed pages of The Fly Fisherman. This widespread acceptance and notoriety can largely be attributed to the endorsement of Lefty Kreh, a highly respected advocate of the then-new and now widely-used Clouser Deep Minnow fly
Bob Clouser
Bob Clouser was no novice to the world of fly fishing or fly tying when he crossed paths with Lefty Kreh while fishing for smallmouth bass in the renowned Susquehanna River in PA. He had been honing his skills since the age of 14 and had been guiding for an impressive 50 years.
The smallmouth bass in the Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania, made the Clouser Deep Minnow famous. Illustration by award winning watercolorist Thom Glace.
‘Bobby knows the Susquehanna better than anyone alive,” said fly-fishing legend Lefty Kreh in late 2017. “His fly-tying and casting skills are second to none. I can’t tell you how much fun we’ve had fishing together worldwide. He’s a natural innovator.’ — Lefty Kreh
Lefty Kreh, in many quotes, confirms using Clouser’s fly and catching over 90 species with it
Bob Clouser with a North Carolina albie [false albacore] on the Clouser Deep Minnow.
‘The Clouser Deep Minnow is a versatile and adaptable fly. Anglers today tie the pattern, and its variations, on a range of hook sizes and types, depending on the target species and water conditions. The fly’s belly and back are crafted with various color combinations of bucktail, highlighted by a length of flash. The weight is provided by lead, brass, or tungsten eyes, allowing the fly to mimic the action of a conventional jig as it descends in the water column. A popular variation is the Half-and-Half, which combines elements of the Deep Minnow and Lefty’s Deceiver, further showcasing the fly’s adaptability.’ — Gary Reichoct
Like any fly needing a long shank, the Clouser Deep Minnow fly can be much better tied on a tube. This offers the caster a better delivery, management of the hook used, and probably extended life of the fly as it tends to ride up the leader away from being mauled by the fish.
