Fly Tying Inventory
Clouser Half and Half
A cross between Bob Clouser's Clouser Minnow and Lefty Kreh's Deceiver: dumbbell eyes and a bucktail front like a Clouser, behind which trails a long saddle-hackle tail like a Deceiver. The weighted eyes flip it point-up and give it a diving, jigging action, while the feathers stretch it into a bigger baitfish profile. A staple for striped bass and other inshore predators that also works for freshwater bass.
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Materials
Standard saltwater hook, size 2/0
2/0
Painted dumbbell eyes, 1/4 inch
1/4 inch
White bucktail, a slim bunch as an underbody
White
Dark olive saddle hackles, 4 feathers
Dark Olive
White bucktail for the belly
White
Bright red dubbing
Red
Olive bucktail for the back
Olive
How to Tie the Clouser Half and Half
- 1
Step 1
Start the thread about a third of the shank back from the eye and tie the dumbbell eyes on top of the shank with firm figure-eight wraps. Add a drop of super glue so they cannot twist.
Leave enough bare shank ahead of the eyes for two bunches of bucktail and the dubbing.
- 2
Step 2
Take the thread to the bend and tie a slim bunch of white bucktail along the shank so it reaches just past the bend. It props up the tail feathers and helps stop them fouling around the hook.
- 3
Step 3
Pair up four dark olive saddle hackles, two on each side with the curves facing in, and tie them in at the bend standing on edge, about twice the shank length.
- 4
Step 4
Tie a few strands of gold Krystal Flash along each side of the feathers.
- 5
Step 5
Bring the thread forward of the eyes and tie in a bunch of white bucktail on the eye side for the belly, long enough to reach about halfway down the hackles.
- 6
Step 6
Dub a short band of bright red dubbing over the tie-in area in front of the eyes to suggest gills.
- 7
Step 7
Turn the hook point-up and tie a bunch of olive bucktail on top for the back, about as long as the belly.
- 8
Step 8
Build a smooth, tapered head, whip finish, and coat the wraps with cement or glue.
Tie it to the leader with a non-slip loop knot so it can swing and dive freely.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haHAMStOtRU
Credit: tightlinevideo