I can only tie for so long before I have to write about it. This is my "scud pattern" that I've used over the last five or so years on the Swift.
First, I guess that it will work on any stream but it REALLY works on the Swift which means it's probably a good tailwater pattern wherever tailwaters are found. I've fished "big" versions of this on the Millers and had success. First things first - I don't like the "bushy" scud patterns. Real scuds are not that bushy. Second, less material means that the fly will get down quickly which is very important. Third, I probably have more real Australian possum in various colors than anyone in New England (maybe a stretch) at this point which I firmly believe is the real reason that this fly works. Believe me, I've tested materials and the Australian possum is the real deal!!
Over the last five or so years this pattern has worked throughout the seasons. Dump it into the riffles, dump it into the pools, it doesn't matter. Trout like it. They like it better in the riffles! Sizes 14 and 16 are all that you need.
I hope to get out this weekend to the Swift even though they're talking about another "weather event" for Friday and Saturday. Say your prayers folks!!!
Ken
9 comments:
I like the scud pattern. I seems interesting. Do you think that weather matters on the Swift?
Weather doesn't matter on this stream except for your angling comfort during the winter. It gets COLD out there during these dark months. It's worth it, believe me!! A typical morning is an hour casting and 15 minutes warming up and shooting the breeze with other brothers and sisters of the FLY!! The people who fish this stream in January and February are hard core but are a wealth of knowledge about what happens here. Watch and ask!!
Ken
Ken, is that a copper wire rib?
Thanks! /marc
Marc,
Yup, it's copper that I get from a small transformer.
Ken
nice post ken. Scuds have been a huge part of my game on the swift and definitely account for alot of fish caught including my biggest of the season that took a #16 orange scud. just as effective as the tiny zebra midges that are so popular on the river.
see ya out there
by the way, i tie alot of variations on scuds but ive had the most success with metz scud dub with scud back and a clear mono rib over a small pearl mylar rib that is under the scud back. Davy Whitlock SLF scud dub is also really great but a different look, more natural fibers/gaurd hairs etc. The metz stuff is a great synthetic though. Tie em slender!
Thanks for the post Ken. I'm praying to get out as well.
Snow events generally can be OK as long as the temps are close to 30 and the wind is low. I've heard stories of trout rising to the snow flakes.
I managed to get out to the Pipe for a couple of hours last Saturday. I did OK w buggers, SJW's and a small PT.
I like that scud pattern. Do you put weight in it? I'm not planning to go to Australia anytime soon, so expect I'll go for an alternate dub.
See you on the river.
Great info on the scud pattern Ken! As for the Woolly Bugger and SJ worm, they were used but once on the last 2 trips. I'll have to try them more often. I carry a large double sided box full of buggers in all shapes, sizes, and colors. For some stupid reason I passed them over concentrating on the box of minute patterns when buggers have been amongst the biggest producers for me especially on the Westfield. Thanks for the great information everyone!
Adrian
Ken, I am going to try tying some of your scud patterns. One question I have is, do you use any type of material for the scud back? I don't see any in the picture. All I see is a strip of flash down the middle. Thanks and tight lines.
Adrian
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