It is proposed that the inertial range clustering of small heavy particles in fluid turbulence occurs as a result of the sweep-stick mechanism which causes inertial particles to cluster so as to mimic the clusters of points where the fluid acceleration is perpendicular to the direction of highest contraction between neighboring particles. Direct numerical simulations of inertial particles subjected to linear Stokes drag and suspended in homogeneous isotropic turbulence support the validity of the sweep and stick properties on which the sweep-stick mechanism is based, and also support the clustering consequences of this mechanism. It also explains the observed Stokes-number dependence of inertial particle clustering.