Tying Scott's Dead Scud—Tutorial
Everybody who fishes the White River tailwaters has a favorite scud pattern. One I like to tie and fish is a dead scud. The tiny crustaceans turn a funny pinkish orange color when they die (see photo #44 in the 2008 gallery). This is a humpback, weighted version. Several people have asked for a tutorial, so here it is.
| Hook | 2x long nymph hook, size 14 |
|---|---|
| Thread | Orange Fly Master Plus |
| Weight | Larva Lace LED cut into triangular shapes to match hook shank length |
| Body | Orange synthetic/squirrel blend |
| Tail | Wood duck flank fibers, tied downward into bend of hook |
| Shellback | 1/4 inch scudback |
| Rib | Fine silver wire |
You are going to tie a humpback scud. I use curved scissors to cut the LED lead strip into triangle pieces. I also make one side of the triangle steeper and shorter than the other two sides. The short side I usually place toward the eye of the hook, and the longer, uncut base rests on the shank. This makes a slightly longer taper for the back end.
Lay a base of thread, and then tie in the duck fibers which you should have rolled in your fingers. The first wrap goes over the fibers into the bend of the hook. This makes sure the fibers splay and point downward.
Trim the end of the scud back to a middle point. This makes an easy place for the thread to grab when you tie it in. Stretch it slightly back as you tie it in down to the start of the duck fibers.
Now tie in the silver wire which will serve as the ribbing.
Bring the thread forward and catch the front shoulder of the lead triangle. Leave an eye width.
Lash it down securely.
Prepare the thread with dubbing and dub the body, making the contour shape you want.
Stretch the scud back forward and tie off. It may be helpful here to throw in a half-hitch to help prevent the scud back from slipping back through when you trim it.
Stretch the scud back up slightly and use scissors or a razor blade to trim the scud back close to the thread.
Rib the fly with the wire and whip finish the head. I usually try for about 5 wraps with the ribbing.
Pick out the dubbing underneath using a brush tool or bodkin.
