Scuds.... Freshwater Shrimp

[Phil Lilley]

By Darin Schildknecht

Scuds are one of the most common food sources for trout here on Taneycomo.  They are more abundant in the upper reaches of the lake than anywhere else.  They live in and around the bottom of the lake.  They range from a size 24 to a size 12 when comparing to a hook.  Most of the scuds are a gray color but when they die they turn almost orange.  They eat almost anything.  They will eat the vegetation along with anything that is dead along the bottom of the lake.




There are many different variations of flies that imitate scuds.  Some are very difficult to tie and some anyone can tie.  From my experience the simple ones work just as well as the difficult ones.  My personal favorite is the scud tied with UV Ice dub from Hareline Dubbin.  Fishing a scud is simple, just right on the bottom.  When there is no power generation just fish it under an indicator on 5x or 6x Fluoroflex tippet, and if the power generators are on fish it under an indicator still but you can use heavier tippet.

We have several types of scuds for sale on our online tackle store as well as in our fly shop.



Here is some video that Phil Lilley has taken over the years of scuds on Lake Taneycomo:

[MattS]

In all the times of fishing at Taneycomo, I have caught one trout on a scud and it was hooked in the belly. Whatever, i'll stick to big ol' streamers ;0

[Ham]

I did really well onscuds this year on Norfork during the EARLY spring. I need to tie up a like a billion of them in tan, gray, and olive. I think I'll stick to sizes 16, 18, and 20.

[dennis boatman]

Absolutely agree with Matt...much more fun stripping soft hackles or streamers than staring down a bobber...

[Wayne SW/MO]

I always do better without the bobber at the dam. I grudgingly use one at Bennett, but thats to stay out of the weeds.

[Lancer09]

Gray scud with a blue wire rib gets it dine for me, typically know a 14

[FRENZEL]

In all the times of fishing at Taneycomo, I have caught one trout on a scud and it was hooked in the belly. Whatever, i'll stick to big ol' streamers ;0

Yeah midges never work either.....

[Rolan Duffield]

You can't go wrong with a scud.

Rolan

[On The Fly 6]

I have them in my fly box, but they never get wet.

[Jack Jones]

Done better on cracklebacks and P/P or zebra midges than I ever did on scuds. I've pretty much given up on them.