The Clouser Minnow
Hook: Mustad 3406B or similar size to match forage fish.
Thread: 6/0 Chartreuse.
Eyes: Small barbells red with black eyes or white with black eyes.
Belly: White bucktail.
Wing: Pearl crystal flash (or material of choice) and chartreuse bucktail.
Head/nose: Chartreuse thread.
Ive avoided listing this pattern as a Fly of the Month probably because its one of the most famous and used patterns in the world. This particular tie is for striped bass in the salt. With this one pattern you can consistently catch all the stripers you want along the CT coast. Change materials and size and you can just about catch any species of fish out there. In salt water, its a killer. Its a very unique pattern. It was developed by Bob Clouser in 1984. The fly gets down deep and fishes upside down so snagging is kept at a minimum. It also exhibits constant movement, bobbing up and down in the water column. Vary your retrieves, dead drift it in currents, it all works!
Ive finally got around to listing it here because I know there are a lot of HFFA members out there who have never fly fished the salt. You dont know what your missing. Certainly a different experience than fresh water fly fishing, but you have the chance to catch monster fish in completely different settings. If you never salt water fly fished its like living in Montana and only fly fishing for white fish. In the salt you can catch MONSTER fish. Increase your fishing options! When the salt water fishing is hot, hit the beaches. When theres a good hatch on the Farmington or Hous, hit the rivers. When its small mouth time, hot in the summer, explore the TMAs. I love using my computer to tell me where the fishing is hot. Its a means for you to be at the right spot at the right time and increase your fishing success.