Fly, Notes and Photo by Tim Barker
Used by Permission
Hook: TMC 2499 SP-BL, #12 – #18
Thread: Gordon Griffith 14/0, Sheer, Red
Weight: 0.015 or 0.010 lead or lead sub. (Lead sub. does not come in a 0.010 diameter)
Tail: Mallard Fibers, natural
Abdomen: Rainbow Sow Scud Dubbing – Wapsi (NOT the dubbing from Hareline and trust me, there is a difference)
Under Back: Holographic Mylar Motion, 1/32′, Black – Spirit River
Back: Stretch Flex, 1/8″ Clear
Rib: Black Ice Thread
Head Cement: Hard AS HULL
The Venerable Scud – Often overlooked, this tail water, spring creek and alpine lake staple has, through the years, provided me with some of the largest Trout I have ever brought to hand. For years, I have used a simple Al Troth pattern, tied on Mustad 3096B hooks, as my go-to Scud. Scuds should be tied on straight – ish hooks. When they are in motion, living scuds present a straight profile and swim in short 6″-12″ bursts. Drifting scuds assume a semi-curled position, resting scuds (in the weed beds), a curled position. Use thy rod tip and line accordingly.
The Holo Rainbow Scud is primarily an attractor pattern. Rainbow Sow Scud Dubbing is one of my favorite attractor dubbings, The tan and this version find their way into a lot of attractor patterns that I tie.
More flies/commentary by Tim are at http://planettrout.wordpress.com/
From February 2014 newlsetter