Author Topic: Blue Scuds (Read 1919 times)

John Dunn · « **on:** December 12, 2010, 02:22:54 PM »

With some talk about blue nymphs, (Do they work?) how about blue scud.
I have been working on scud box and looking for ideas. Thanks

John

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2010, 02:11:01 PM »

I am sure they would work but i wonder if adding a blue hot spot or blue rib might be the way to go. Just enough to maybe add some effectiveness but not to much to make them seem unnatural.

Chris Puchniak · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2010, 02:30:27 PM »

Blue scuds are a realistic pattern and VERY useful. After a scud molts, its exoskeleton isn't hardened yet and the appearance is quite commonly blue. So a good colour to have.

Naturally one with a fl. orange hot spot should be part of your box too, mostly to represent the pregnant scud, but diseased scuds also have a similar look. I have definitely seen some fish feed very exclusively on this type of scud. And, it helps to be seen as well.

When looking at scuds too, keep in mind that most patterns should be straight, not curved. Scuds only are in a curved position when dead, or occasionally at rest. But 95% of the time, they are straight. So, a straight hook should most regularly be used. Although when using them in rivers you might want to use a curved hook so you can get the patterns to invert and not snag bottom as much - but as a general rule, fish target moving scuds, hence straight ones.

Brandon Matthews · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2010, 03:57:04 PM »

I totally agree with Chris on this one. I tied up several dozens of scuds all on curved hooks and did ok fishing them but not as good as I thought I should be doing. I ran into an old timer on tea creek, a very small spring creek loaded with scuds, and he was just killing them on scuds. I asked him to see one of his patterns and he showed me a size 18 straight hook scud and told me the very thing Chris was talking about with the trout targeting moving scuds. So now all I tie is straight scuds...

One that really works for me is using a clear scud. I take just about as many fish on a clear scud than all the other colors put together...i believe the name for it is Mysis Scud....you get the Sow-Scud Dubbing Mysis brand and it makes a nice looking scud. and you can put a flo. orange hot spot in it as well.

Also, Knapek Hooks sells a Tungsten Scud weight that can be added to your hook to give you a nice curved look your looking for a scud.

http://www.knapek-hooks.com/katalog/katalog/tungstens-weights/shimps--scud-body/stranka-1.aspx

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2010, 04:27:16 PM »

Interesting I never really thought of the strait scuds but it makes sense.

John Dunn · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2010, 05:19:56 PM »

Thanks for the posts, I have tied some straight and some on scud hooks,I will post some pics if their is anything I should change ,please let me know.As far as clear scude I will have to get dub .

Brandon Matthews · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2010, 05:32:51 PM »

Dude...nice looking scuds....are you using poly for the casing or swiss straw on that orange...either way I like it a lot....looks like you have some trout killers right there....well don't kill them...but you get my drift!

Keep up the good work....oh what size scuds do you normally tie?

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2010, 09:05:47 PM »

Very nice looking flies John. A bit of constructive criticism, try making the tails a bit shorter. Scuds have rather short tails. Don't think the trout will actually care though.

For refernce this is my go to scud and has been for some time (although I like dubbed body scuds as well.) Has done well for me on PA limestones.
http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/lwsdlscud.html