Clouser Swimming Nymph for Bass ?????

[mic]

I was listening to (I think) last's week's Orvis Flyfishing Podcast.  The topic was multi-species fishing in general, specifically on Lake Champagne.  Anyway, Tom and the guest were going through the go to flies through the seasons and got to carp and called out the Clouser Swimming Nymph.  The guest who was a guide said one of the issues with the fly was keeping the bass off it.  I'm thinking if the bass like them, the pan fish might also.  If correct, my be a fly to tie over the summer.

Anyway... anyone ever use this pattern for bass... river or still waters?  

[FishnDave]

I haven't used them specifically for bass, but I have tied them and used them.  They catch fish!

Bass will hit anything, sometimes.  While I've usually had better luck with baitfish imitations for largemouth, there have been times when they've crushed smaller offerings when targeting bluegills.  Chartreuse or black have been really good colors at those times.

The Clouser Swimming Nymph is a very buggy-looking nymph, the materials in the tail and "legs" provide good movement to make it look alive.  Tie it in the right size for the fish you are hoping to catch.  Probably a good mimic for a mayfly nymph or dragonfly nymph.  Probably a better choice in still or slower waters, but properly weighted it should produce well in current.

[fishinwrench]

I have. 

IMO there's nothing it can do that a similarly sized Wooly bugger can't do better. 

90% of fly patterns are nothing more than the result of boredom at the tying vice.   My advice is to skip the Clouser swimming nymph, and concentrate on tying better WB's. 👍

[tjm]

Woolly bugger is the original bass nymph/hellgrammite, although I usually fish it as a crawdad. My warm water nymph fishing has only produced rough fish and <10" bass. 

No, I haven't fished the Clouser nymph, but then there are about a dozen (zillion) other patterns that I haven't fished either. Five or six patterns can keep me busy, so I may never get to try all the "new and improved" versions.

If you tie a bunch of these and fish them hard, post the results and an SBS of the tie. I like new things on occasion.

[BilletHead]

         Mic I have caught so many fish on that nymph. In ponds many nice bass, my biggest grass carp was caught on one in the river. I was throwing in front of the school. The water was clear, and you see them track and chase the fly.  I tied in various colors. Chartreuse, Rusty and even black. You will like them.

[BilletHead]

12 minutes ago, tjm said:

Woolly bugger is the original bass nymph/hellgrammite, although I usually fish it as a crawdad. My warm water nymph fishing has only produced rough fish and <10" bass. 

No, I haven't fished the Clouser nymph, but then there are about a dozen (zillion) other patterns that I haven't fished either. Five or six patterns can keep me busy, so I may never get to try all the "new and improved" versions.

If you tie a bunch of these and fish them hard, post the results and an SBS of the tie. I like new things on occasion.

              Instructions: Clouser's Swimming Nymph (flyfishingthesierra.com)

 

[tjm]

@BilletHeadyou just want me to take a nap. 

[FishnDave]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

I have. 

IMO there's nothing it can do that a similarly sized Wooly bugger can't do better. 

90% of fly patterns are nothing more than the result of boredom at the tying vice.   My advice is to skip the Clouser swimming nymph, and concentrate on tying better WB's. 👍

Woolly Buggers catch everything! 👍🎣

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, BilletHead said:

         Mic I have caught so many fish on that nymph. In ponds many nice bass, my biggest grass carp was caught on one in the river. I was throwing in front of the school. The water was clear, and you see them track and chase the fly.  I tied in various colors. Chartreuse, Rusty and even black. You will like them.

What size do you tie yours in? Are yours weighted?  And how are you fishing it? 

What I found unimpressive about it, in stillwater, is that any weight added to the hook flips the fly upside down like a dead cockroach.  

Bob Clouser designed one REALLY GOOD fly.....then he went totally rogue, so that anything with his name attached to it just has to be tried.   Can't tell ya how much time, material, and frustration that has cost me.  

There's an old-school nymph called a "Casual Dress" that is quite similar..... yet"tyed in the round" so that no matter the orientation the effect is the same.    Polly Rosburough I believe is credited for it.     

Caught a lot of Smallies on that one before the Pine Squirrel Leech came along.     The PSLeech eliminated my need/want to ever tie another Casual Dress.  👍

[kjackson]

Yes, that is a Polly Rosburough pattern-- I think I have a few tucked away. He was innovative, and I think he developed the dubbing loop.  Most of his patterns were a bit too fussy for me,  but he did result in me picking up a lifetime supply of Nymo thread.