J:son Scud 4 Light Olive #16

Few aquatic insects are as important to a fish's diet as scuds. These small crustaceans make up a huge portion of the biomass in still waters and slow-moving parts of rivers and streams all over the world, providing a constant, high-calorie meal for fish throughout the year. When fish seem to ignore all other flies, chances are they are keyed in on scuds.

To get the most out of your scud imitation, it is vital to mimic its unique, jerky swimming motion. A real scud propels itself forward by bending its body—almost into a circle—and then quickly straightening out. This creates a "jumping" movement through the water that is irresistible to trout and grayling.

How to fish the J:son Scud:

1. Cast your fly and let it sink to the desired depth.

2. Make a short, quick pull on the line to imitate the scud’s forward jump.

3. Let the fly fall slowly and naturally through the water column.

4. Repeat with brief pauses between each pull.

By imitating this specific behavior, you offer the fish a familiar and easy meal that often triggers a take when nothing else works.

The Technical Perfection – The J:son Scud 4 in Light Olive is a small but powerful imitation, measuring 10 mm in length. Tied on a size #16 hook, this pattern is designed for those moments when fish are feeding on smaller crustaceans or when you need a more subtle presentation in clear, low-water conditions. The light olive color mimics the natural translucency of scuds found in weed-rich environments, making it a favorite for both stillwater and spring creek fishing.

One of the standout features of this micro-pattern is its practicality: despite being a size #16, the hook eye is no smaller than a size #18. This ensures that you can thread your leader quickly and easily, even when the light is failing. With J:son’s hallmark anatomical segmentation and lifelike profile, this 10 mm scud perfectly replicates the "jumping" action of the natural insect. It is a vital tool for the technical angler who needs extreme realism in a compact size to fool cautious trophy fish.