How to Tie a Scud Pattern

Scuds are small crustaceans and are similar to crayfish and shrimp. They live in ponds, streams and lakes and are characterized by seven pairs of tiny legs with two pairs of antennae. As a natural forage to fish, scud fly patterns are used by fly anglers to attract trout and panfish. With just a few materials like dubbing, a shellback material and tan thread, you can tie your own scud pattern.

Things You'll Need

  • Wet nymph hook, size 10 to 18
  • Lead wire, 0.15
  • Tan thread, size 6/0 to 8/0
  • Antron dubbing for scuds
  • Gray brown flex 1/8-inch thickness for shell back
  • Fine gold wire
  • Bodkin
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make 12 wraps of the lead wire starting past halfway of the hook shank. Leave space between the lead and the hook eye.

    • 2

      Attach the thread behind the hook eye and make wraps up to the lead wire. Taper the thread to prevent the lead from moving forward on the hook. Make crisscross wraps over the lead wire then build up thread behind the lead to prevent it from sliding back on the hook.

    • 3

      Place the gold wire on the fly where the lead wrap ends. Tie the gold wire to the hook's bend.

    • 4

      Twist the dubbing onto the thread. Make wraps up to the hook eye.

    • 5

      Tie the gray brown flex at the hook eye. Allow the flex to extend an inch or so on both ends. Make soft wraps with the thread and leave a tag end so you can easily position the shell back at the center. Center the flex then pull and tighten down the wraps.

    • 6

      Wrap the wire up to the hook eye and tie off. Next pull the tag end of the gray brown flex and cut off with scissors. Form a head and whip finish.

    • 7

      Pull the tag end of the flex to straighten at the hook's bend. Cut the end but leave a remaining small tag.

    • 8

      Use the bodkin to pull down the dubbing fibers. This forms the scud legs. Use the scissors to even out the dubbing fiber legs with the point of the hook.