Tight Lines Fly Fishing: Paul's May 2023 Fly of the Month

Adachi Clouser
a.k.a. California Clouser

Hook: Gamakatsu 291 60 degree Jig Hook Size #1/0 or Ahrex SA254.

Thread: Monofilament.

Eyes: 5.5 mm Dumbbell Eyes a.k.a. 3D Eyes

Tail: Pearl Flash-a-bou.

Belly: White or Off White Flash N’ Slinky or SF Blend Fiber.

Gills: EP Anadromous Brush in red.

Wing: Chartreuse Flash N’ Slinky topped with Grey or Black Flash N’ Slinky.

This fly was developed on the West Coast. What makes this fly something you want to put in your box? Well, it’s tied on a jig hook and the ‘action’ is much more dramatic than that of a ‘normal’ clouser. It is also an extremely durable fly, noted for it’s flash tail and the use of ‘artificial’ materials (Flash N’ Slinky) for it’s body. You can easily size this fly to represent any bait fish you want.

To tie this fly place your hook in the vice and mount your dubbell eyes. The eyes should be mounted approximately a dumbbell eye length beyond the 60 degree bend to the eye. Use figure 8 wraps to secure them. Next, tie in 10-12 strands of Flash-a-bou for your tail. Tie them in behind the eyes and wrap down to the tail. They should extend 4 hook shank lengths beyond the bend. Coat & cure your eyes and hook shank with UV Resin. You can also use Epoxy for this step.

Take a bunch of Flash N’ Slinky for your belly. When stretched it should be pencil lead width. You also want to roll it between your fingers for a bit to eliminate the straight edge on your ‘cut’ end. At the halfway point, tie it in in front of the eyes, then also secure it behind the eyes. It should be approximately ¾ length of your flash tail. Fold your Flash N’ Slinky over, again securing it behind your eyes. You can use your scissors to ‘scrape’ across the end of your tail to give it a tapered outline.

For your gills, cut a small (maybe 1/3”) of EP Anadromous Brush in Red for your gills. Once cut, form a ‘V’ with the material. Tie it in behind the eyes so that the fibers will extend on each side of the hook shank. After a few ‘soft’ wraps you can adjust the gill material. Once it’s placed where you want it, bind it down with harder securing wraps. That completes the belly of the fly.

You are now going to tie in your wing. The fly’s originator says that ideally you want 2/3’rds the amount of all material on the top part of your fly. Take the same amount of Flash N’ Slinky for your wing that you used for the belly. Again, roll it between your fingers. Tie it in at the half way point in front of the eyes. You want to lay half of it on one side of the fly, and the other half on the other side of the fly. Trim it by sliding your scissors so that it’s ¾ the length of the tail. Finally, take and prepare contrasting color of Flash-N’-Slinky for the top of your wing. I usually use Grey or Black to mimic Bait Fish. Tie it in at the half way point in front of the eyes. Then, fold it over on top of itself, trim it with your scissors so that’s it’s the same length of your other wing material. Whip finish it and apply an adhesive to your wraps if desired.