Scuds    

Hook: TMC2487 or TMC2457 #14-16   

Thread: Orange 6/0 (8/0 on #16 and smaller) 

Tail: pearlescent or orange krystal flash strands, silver flashabou  

Dubbing: Orange or sulphur orange, gray, olive, pink/ Ice Dub UV Pink Shrimp 

Shell Back: Small piece of plastic to cover the dubbing 

Ribbing: Fine copper wire 

Weight: Turns of .15 or .20 weight

Comments: This is a 12 month a year fly in Minnesota, particularly in the winter and spring season.   It is commonly tied in orange as is pictured or in a sulphur orange (or a beer color).  In either case I prefer to use orange thread, especially in the sulphur orange for making the head.  The dubbing is picked out last to create legs on the scud.  The picture above used beads to create the body; other variations include using scud "tape" for the back as well.  Tie these in gray or tan for clear water situations.

Techniques: The "swimming scud" method is an effective when there are no apparent hatches to contend with.  It is a simple technique where the angler raises the rod and mends the fly in short three to four inch strokes to make it appear that the fly is indeed swimming.  It is best fished in a gray (#16) or olive color.