J:son Scud 4 Olive Brown #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 Subtle Survivor – The J:son Scud 4 in Olive Brown is a highly specialized imitation measuring 10 mm in length. Tied on a size #16 hook, this fly is designed for technical situations where fish are feeding selectively on smaller crustaceans in rivers and lakes. The olive-brown tone is a perfect match for scuds found among dark gravel, decaying leaves, or silty bottoms, providing a natural and inconspicuous profile that wary fish trust.

Despite its delicate #16 size, we have engineered this fly for real-world conditions: Built with J:son’s signature anatomical segmentation and a semi-translucent body, this 10 mm scud is an essential tool for any angler who needs to "match the hatch" with extreme realism and practical ease of use.