Description
Fly Type: This is a subsurface scud imitation and nymph pattern. It is designed to mimic a scud, also known as a freshwater shrimp or amphipod.
Best Suited For: An excellent fly for targeting fish that feed on scuds. It is a proven pattern for trout (especially rainbow and brown trout), grayling, and panfish.
Best Time to Fish: This fly works well year-round, but it is especially effective in the colder seasons when scuds are a primary food source.
Water Type: A classic freshwater fly, for rivers, streams, and stillwaters. It can also be effective in brackish and saltwater environments where similar crustaceans are found.
Best Location: The Scud works best in areas with aquatic vegetation or over a rocky substrate where scuds are abundant. It should be fished on or near the bottom.
Other Value: The key to this fly's success is its realistic body shape. The fly is tied with a hunched, shrimp-like profile that is a perfect imitation of a scud's body shape. It comes in a variety of natural colors like brown, tan, and olive to match the local insects, and some patterns also include bright "hot spot" colors like orange or yellow to attract a strike. The best way to fish it is with a dead drift or a very slow, jerky retrieve to imitate a scuttling crustacean.