Scuds tied with Ostrich

[Seth]

Do you guys have any scud patterns that use ostrich herl that you would like to share with me? I have always just used dubbing to tie them and picked out the legs.

I have tried to tie some up by just wrapping the ostrich over the hook and trimming the top and the sides, but they come out really thin. How do you guys make the bodies bigger? Just build it up with thread or what?

Thanks guys for any info.

[Leonard]

Seth...

I think the best looking scud with the ostrich is done with scud backs and mono rib... dont trim the top... the backs will push them down... and if you want them alittle "fatter" add the weight under them

but if you leave it round and fluffy (like an egg pattern)... it works pretty good to..

[Brian Wise]

Seth,

You may have already seen this but...

http://www.ozarkchronicles.com/flybox/patt...g/SOSsowbug.htm

I know a couple guys that swear by them.

If I were wanting a little bigger body on a scud I'd wrap some lead and then flatten it with some needle nose pliers.

Brian

[Seth]

Thanks a bunch guys...

I will give these patterns a whirl whenever the next time I make it back down there to Taney. That might not be until January though after all the hunting seasons are over with.

[jOrOb]

I had really good success this summer using a fly called a Ray Charles. Basically wrap ostrich around the hook, cover with scud back, and rib with copper wire. I think the thin body is what makes the fly effective.

Here is the link to the pattern

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/alcampbell/ac022304.html

Al tied it really simple, but I like to make it a bit more complicated. I use pearlescent icicles from christmas past for my scud back, and I add the copper wire to strenghten the herl. Seems pretty durable that way.

Simple to tie and durable, plus it catches fish. Isn't that supposed to be the perfect fly?

jOrOb

[Brian Wise]

I'll second jOrOb on a skinnier profile. Very rarely do I use weight in my scuds unless I am fishing pretty deep water like some of the faster moving holes on the Norfork (AR).

Brian

[Wayne SW/MO]

I like Ostrich and I don't worry about it not having enough "legs" because the real thing doesn't, but it does breath nice. Ostrich makes a fair Leech also.

[Seth]

How many strands of ostrich do you use for different hook sizes?

I tied a few in a size 20 up like that ray charles, but I used only 1 strand. Should I use 2 or even 3 to make it "buggier"?

[Leonard]

I like the looks of..

2 strands for 20's and smaller.. stay to about 24...

3 strands for 18's ... 16 and bigger, I think the yarn looks better

[jOrOb]

I agree with Leonard. I like two or three for effect.

I have also done three on a 20 then coated the back with Sally Hansons, which makes a wider profile more like a sow bug.

jOrOb