Scuds aren’t an important food source for trout for trout everywhere, but where they are on the menu, you better have a few options in your box. If you’re not familiar with scuds, they’re small freshwater crustaceans that make their home in extremely clean, nutrient dense trout waters. They re not particularly fond of especially swift water, typically they are found in spring creeks, high lakes, side channels, eddies, and headwater sections of all of our favorite rivers. Sometimes they are a key food source in tailwater sections under especially productive stillwater venues. Scuds vary in size and color and having a range of both sizes and shade is especially important when trying to match the scud that fish are keyed in on.
The Fulling Mill FM5140 Jig Force Straight Point is a fantastic jig hook option for this fly as it has a slight bend which makes space for the scud’s shell. An especially sharp long point makes for consistent hook sets. The Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub is one of my favorite dubbings of all time as it is so versatile. For this scud, nearly the entire body is constructed from it making this pattern a simple, but effective guide style fly that can be tied quickly. the Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub brushes out really well on collars, bodies, and for scud legs like this fly.
We like to fish them on lakes with intermediate lines like Scientific Anglers Sonar Stillwater Clear Camo Fly Line, or the Rio Rowley’s Midge Tip Long. On moving bodies of water, we like to run them as a dropper, or as part of a nymph rig and use small strips to animate the fly. Tie some up for the next time you find yourself in scud territory and a large trout in your net will be soon to come
-Simon
Hook- Fulling Mill FM5140 Jig Force Straight Point: 12, 14**, 16
Bead- Fulling Mill Gold Slotted Tungsten Bead: 3.2mm or 1/8**, 2.8mm or 7/32 , 3.8mm or 5/32
Thread- Fulling Mill Black Pro Flat Thread: 70 Denier
Body- Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub: Blend of Pepperbox** & Natural Hare’s Ear**, Olive, Fulling Mill Tactical Microflash Dub: UV Sunburst, Uni Silver Soft Wire: Small**, XS
Additional Tools- Smhaen Thread Splitter
Resin- Solarez Medium Viscosity UV Resin
***Denotes Size/Color used in the tutorial, additional suggestions are listed
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