Scuds tied with Ostrich

[Danoinark]

I have fished some of these, but it seems to me that ostrich herl really soaks up the water, and turns to mush have a few casts. Anybody else notice this and does it make a difference anyway?

Dano

[mizzouflyfisher]

Turning to mush is exactly what you want to happen. When it gets wet, it moves a lot in the water. Typically, I only use ostrich on scuds smaller than 16. If I'm fishing a bigger scud I want the larger profile that I get by building up dubbing. But, if any of you have had success with ostrich scuds in a 12 or 14 let me know. I will say that ostrich makes a really good addition to midge larva patterns. Say just below a tungsten bead.

Mizzouflyfisher

[Jeremy Hunt]

Seth,

I tie them for Phil and you really don't need to get to worried about the body. If you do want to add to make the fly become more of a larger body. All you need to is put some dubbing under the body and then wrap up the herl. I cut the back's of all mine as well. Try this, Tie in two pieces of the ostrich and wrap them up side by side. Also try using two different colors and see what happens. Good luck

JH

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I will say that ostrich makes a really good addition to midge larva patterns. Say just below a tungsten bead.

mizzou - I agree with you... in size 18 I use a glass bead and olive ostrich and it fishes very well!

Havent tried the Tunsgten idea on ostrich yet.. no doubt it will work the same or better.

happy tying - Brian