Sometimes when the "schmag" is all that's left off the cluseter it allows the corky to float higher in the water column allowing for the fish to see it better. Mostly with salmon in deeper holes which are somewhat suspended. I have noticed that there is a lot of action/movement just off of the "schmag" itself. The white leftover can resemble and even smell like a chunk of floating dead salmon flesh with similar movement; think how well flesh flies work on trophy trout in Alaska.

Often times the full cluster is thumping along the bottom itself because it is to heavy to maintin a drift while the "schmag" is lighter and presents itself much more naturally.

Justin
CEO, Sauk River Steelhead Ranch