SCUDs!!!!!! i need help

[Randall]

YES

[Flysmallie]

in my extremely cocky opinion

I have one of those too sometimes.

[Terry Beeson]

There are a couple of things to take into consideration when talking colors for "scuds".... Number one, are you wanting to mimmick the scuds the trout are eating or number two, do you want the fish to just bite?

For number 2, black or any other color might work depending on what the fish sees. Did the fish you caught on your black scud bite for the heck of it? No, they bit because they "thought" they saw food... scud, pellet, sowbug, or whatever morsal they thought it was...

Now, to actually mimmick scuds in the stream, you want to stick with something in the olive, tan, gray, and even a bit of orange in your tying. A year or so ago, there were a couple of good articles and even some discussion on a couple of forums I belong to about the color of scuds during their life cycle. The overwhelming concensus was that those four colors were the way to go to mimmick scuds.

Next time you wade for any length of time, check your gravel guards periodically and see if any scuds have hitched a ride. Most of the time, these will be something in an olive or gray color and wiggling. When scuds are dying, they tend to take on more of the tan color and when they die, they tend to wind up with an orange tone to them.

Also, if you look at some of the aquatic insects that hitch a ride on your waders other than the scuds, you will find some "similar" looking (in profile) bugs that are black and gray.

The bottom line is that color can and does make a difference in certain situations. If you want the fish to bite, you have to throw something at them that appears to them to be a bite of food.... whatever color it is...

[Micheal Kyle]

Years ago a gentleman gave a couple of scuds he called "Peppy Scuds". these were a killer color combination, but I haven't been able to duplicate by blending dubbing. They were a Grey/light brown combo.

If you ever run across one of these you will have to tie it on hiding behind a tree because it will excite the fish to see it.

Tight Lines,

Skip

Perchjerker1

I might be able to shed some light on the Grey/light brown, It's called Aunt Lydia's Sparkle yarn. Or better known as carpet back years ago that is what was blended to make the dubbing and now this sparkle yarn makes it a real good match. If you are close to Springfield stop by and I can show you what it is. I have the sparkle yarn here at my shop.

Michael

[Leonard]

The colors I like are just a bit different..

I agree.. Black,tan,olive works well..

but.. I like the browns/light tan, also.. a olive with a little orange or pink in the middle.. pregnant scud.. works great early summer...

[Seth]

What time of year do the orange scuds do the best? I've only had mediocre luck on them when I tried them. My buddies dad went down to taney last summer and said that orange was just hammering them at that time.

Leonard, I thought about an olive with a spot of orange scud pattern, but haven't tried it yet. Is it too early for that to work well? You said you prefer it in early summer.

[flyfishfan781]

prange i have heard works quite well when it has been hot and the water warms up orange is the dead scud pattern

[jjtroutbum]

Every time the Peppy Scud is mentioned. I look at this little schnauzer ( not a true salt and pepper has a little tan mixed in there also ) and think does it need another cut yet :lol:

[flyfishfan781]

something else do u guys use the shell back i have been using the soft latex shell back and pick out fibers on the abdomen it makes them look good but is it worth the extra effort

jjtroutbum i noticed your from fenton so am i

[Rolan Duffield]

Peppy" He was a really great Cockapoo dog. He passed away in 1988. Gray in color though it was a mixture of several shades of gray. My wife sheared him every spring because thats what you did with that type of dog. His name lives on and I still have a limited supply of his fur.

The fur is blended with medium Gray Antron to achieve the desired color. If tied correctly and fished correctly "Peppy" is a very productive fly.

Rolan