In both rivers and lakes, scuds are a high-calorie food source for trout. In this fly tying video, Ben Baxter shows us how to tie an excellent imitation, Dorsey’s UV Scud.
Scuds are small crustaceans, like tiny shrimp that live in a variety of habitats. Here in Colorado, they’re commonly found in tailwaters, including the South Platte, as well as creeks, reservoirs and even high alpine lakes. It’s probably not a coincidence that in waters where scuds are present, trout have a tendency to grow big. Maybe it’s the scuds. Or maybe it’s that scuds are signs of clean water and healthy ecosystems. Either way, they are a high-protein trout snack that anglers shouldn’t ignore.
When fishing scud patterns, there are a couple of helpful things anglers should keep in mind. The first is color. Scud patterns that are olive or perhaps similar shades that may include hues of blue, grey or yellow, represent living scuds. Meanwhile, orange patterns imitate dead scuds. You may even notice scud patterns that are olive with a hot spot of orange or pink. Depending on who you ask, this either imitates a female scud that’s laden with eggs, or a parasite that forces the host scud to swim into open water making it an easier meal.
The second factor to pay attention to is shape. Scuds can be tied on hooks with curved or straight shanks. In general, scuds curl up when they are agitated, resting or dead. If you are able to scoop a scud into your palm, you’ll probably notice that it curls up into a protective posture. For this reason, scud patterns tied on curved shank hooks are ideal when imitating dead scuds, or live scuds that have been washed into the current.
Live scuds tend to have a straight, streamlined shape when they are active and swimming. With that in mind, when you find yourself slowly stripping a scud pattern on a lake or reservoir, a pattern with a straight shank hook would be ideal.
Local legend and Umpqua Signature Tyer Pat Dorsey developed the UV Scud to imitate those found in our South Platte River tailwaters, but they’re effective anywhere you find scuds. The slight curve in this pattern is excellent for imitating scuds that have been washed into the current. Tying on a UV Scud can be a great choice after a bump in flows or in any high water situation. Buy the tied fly HERE!
Check out the video, as Ben shows us how to tie Dorsey’s UV Scud:
Materials List:
HOOK: Tiemco 2487 OR Tiemco 2457 (#10 - #16)
THREAD: 6/0 Danville (Orange)
TAIL: Antron (Orange)
RIB: Veevus Monofil Thread (.1mm | Clear)
SHELL BACK: Sow-Scud Back (Clear)
ABDOMEN: UV Ice Dub (Shrimp Pink)
ANTENNAE: Antron (Orange)
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Contact Us With Questions
If you have questions about fly tying materials, techniques or anything else you need to get started, please reach out. You’re welcome to visit us at the fly shop in Littleton. Or give us a call at 303-794-1104. When you get out and fish the UV Scud this spring, circle back and let us know what you think!
