Bob Clouser's dumbbell-eyed minnow pattern may be the most versatile streamer ever invented. The inverted hook rides point-up, reducing snags. Chartreuse/white is the go-to for most freshwater conditions; olive/white on overcast days; pink/white for stained water.
1. Eyes — Attach white thread behind the eye. Tie in dumbbell eyes on top of the hook (which becomes the bottom when fishing, since the hook rides inverted). Secure with figure-eight wraps and apply head cement.
2. Underwing — Tie in a sparse bunch of white bucktail behind the eyes, pointing toward the bend. The hook is now tied inverted — this underwing becomes the belly.
3. Flash — Tie in 4–6 strands of pearl flashabou alongside the white bucktail.
4. Overwing — Rotate the vise (or flip the hook) if needed. Tie in a slightly fuller bunch of chartreuse bucktail on the other side of the eyes, aligned with the white wing. This becomes the back.
5. Head — Build a smooth figure-eight head around the dumbbell eyes. Whip finish and apply head cement.
