Freshwater Shrimp (Scud)
Freshwater scuds (amphipods) are one of the most important food items in spring creeks, tailwaters, and limestone streams worldwide. Where they are present, trout feed on them year-round, often to the exclusion of other food items. A well-tied scud on a curved hook, fished dead-drift close to the bottom or through weed beds, can be the deadliest fly in your box. Olive, gray, and pink are the key colors.
- Type
- nymph (Caddis)
- Hook sizes
- #12–18
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
Materials
- hook: Scud hook #12–18
- thread: Olive or gray 8/0
- shellback: Clear Scud Back or mono thread
- body: Olive, gray, or pink dubbing, plump
- ribbing: Fine silver or copper wire
Tying steps
- Mount a size 12–18 scud hook; start olive or gray thread.
- Tie in clear mono thread or Scud Back at the bend for the shellback.
- Tie in fine wire for ribbing.
- Dub a plump, tapered body of olive or gray dubbing on the curved hook, working on the inside curve.
- Pull the shellback material over the top of the body and tie off at the head.
- Wind the wire rib over the shellback in 6–8 tight spirals; tie off.
- Pick out belly fibers to suggest legs.
- Build a small head; whip finish and cement.