Ever had one of those flies that just works no matter where you throw it? The Clouser Minnow’s that ugly little workhorse—looks like something a kid tied blindfolded, but man, does it catch fish.

Start with a solid hook—size 2 to 10, though I’ll go smaller for trout or panfish if the water’s clear. First, slap on some white bucktail for the belly (think minnow underside), then layer a darker shade over top—chartreuse for murky water, olive or blue if it’s clearer. The real trick? Those dumbell eyes up front. They’re not just there to look cool; that weight makes it dive and jig like a baitfish with a death wish. Pro tip: Go heavier on the eyes if you’re punching deep currents, but don’t overdo it unless you want a spinning mess. (Ask me how I know.)
What’s wild is how fish see this thing. The dumbell tilt makes it dart like a scared minnow, and predators lose their minds. Strip it fast for aggro bass, slow-roll it for wary trout—honestly, half the time I think fish hit it just out of spite.

And the range? Smallmouth love it, sure, but saltwater guys stole it for a reason. Redfish crush it in the flats, stripers chase it in the surf, and bonefish? Yeah, even those picky bastards can’t resist. Just adjust your retrieve—sometimes a quick jerk-and-pause kills, other days they want that lazy twitch.

Oh, and flash? Some guys cram in a ton, but I keep it simple unless the water’s chocolate milk. At the end of the day, it’s a dumbell-eyed bucktail that out-catches fancier flies. Go figure.