Intro | Fat Alberts | Tackle | Albaclousers | Presenting the Fly | Releasing Albacore

Albaclousers

Most flies for albacore are tied on hooks from #4 to #1/0. Proven winners include sparsely dressed Deceivers, Popovics' epoxy-body Surf Candies, and Clouser Minnows tied with bucktail. When properly presented, all of these flies can work, especially if they are dressed sparsely. [See "Albie Flies" by Bob Lindquist to learn to tie the Mini Peanut Bunker for when albacore are feeding on small menhaden. The Editor.]

A variation of the Clouser Minnow tied with Ultra Hair or Super Hair is far and away the most productive pattern for these fish. I call my synthetic nylon Clouser adaptations "AlbaClousers." Two-thirds of my flies are tied on #2 hooks, and the other third is divided between #4 and #1/0 hooks.

I use three color variations for my AlbaClousers. For ordinary conditions I prefer a light olive back made of Ultra Hair or Super Hair. In the middle of the fly is a silver stripe made of silver Krystal Flash or Flashabou with a few strands of peacock color Krystal Flash mixed in.

The belly is made of either white or clear Ultra Hair or Super Hair. Another favorite variation of this fly is the same as above except that I use smoke (light gray) Ultra Hair or Super Hair for the back. Finally, when the water gets dirty or the light is low, I often go to an AlbaClouser tied with a bright chartreuse back with a gold Krystal Flash or Flashabou stripe.

To be most effective, these flies should be tied sparsely and the synthetic materials used should be tapered with scissors at the tail so that the fly does not have a "squared-off" look. Make sure you paint the lead eyes silver and add a black pupil. Virtually all of the baitfish in the slender-minnow category have silver eyes, not the red or yellow eyes many tiers use.

Another very effective fly, especially if you like top-water action, is a tiny pencil popper. One of my favorites is tied with white PVC tubing (about the diameter of a ball-point pen) pulled over the shank of a #2 hook. The popper has a short tail of Ultra Hair and Krystal Flash. When albacore run bait right up on the beach, small pencil poppers can elicit heart-stopping surface strikes.

Tom Earnhardt lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is the author of Fly Fishing the Tidewaters and Boats for Fishermen.

Previous Next

On-Line Catalogs
A.A. Outfitters Full service, fully stocked flyshop located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Allen Brothers Quality Fishing Flies Quality is more than just a word. We use Daichii hooks and all our beadheads are tied with tungsten. Check out unique variations on a lot of the classics, plus our original patterns! Angler's Pro Shop The finest products the fly fishing industry has to offer. Bighorn Fly and Tackle Shop Montana's premium fly shops, lodging and guide service. We're dedicated to helping you experience the best Montana has to offer. Bob Henley's TIE-A-FLY 19 traditional patterns. TIE-A-FLY kits have all materials needed to tie them, instructions/illustrations, a pre-tied fly to use as a model. Gary LaFontaine's "The Book Mailer" Every angling book & media in print—10% off 3 or more. LaFontaine fly patterns & materials. FREE anti-catalog. Crystal Fly Shop Online Store Quality products at reasonable prices from Winston, Elkhorn, St. Croix, Galvan, Solitude, Idylwilde, Chota, etc. Many items 15-35% off. Custom Fly Rod Crafters Fly rod building components, tools & supplies. Dan Bailey's Online Fly Shop Outfitting fly fishermen since 1938. Equipment & information to make your next fly fishing trip be a memorable one.		Fly Fishing Flies & Gear Shop RiverBum.com for premium FLIES and GEAR from Simms, Sage, Fishpond & more ... Free Shipping on orders over $25! FlyShack.com High quality, hand-tied flies. Assortments from $.60/fly. Great selection and excellent service. Free Shipping. FlyShopCloseouts.com Now—new and expanded—with much more brand name fly fishing tackle and gear at huge savings. Save 30-50% on quality brands you will recognize in an instant. Galloup's Slide Inn Online Fly Shop Full online store offering cutting-edge flies, equipment, and the best streamer selection found anywhere in the U.S. Hills Discount Flies Fly shop quality flies at wholesale prices. Over 1,000 patterns. Check out bargains in "Hot Deals" section. Hooked On Flies 65¢-69¢ a fly. That's 3 flies for less than the retail price of one fly. 450+ Trout Fly Patterns! Madison River Fishing Co. Spring is coming! We have TONS of new gear this year. Cloudveil, Simms, Sage, Under Armour, Vosseler Reels and lots more. Click or call 800-227-7127 for catalog. **Reelflies** - Fly Fishing Flies Offering incredible prices on top-quality Trout Flies: $0.49 - $0.79. Our flies have great fly illustrations . . . what you see is what you get! www.ShopUltimateAngler.com Your steelhead and smallmouth specialists featuring Simms, Sage, Patagonia, Orvis, guide services, local fishing reports and more!