Scud / ShrimpTucker Scud
The Tucker Scud is a highly realistic scud imitation that uses innovative micro tubing to create the distinctive segmented, translucent body of natural freshwater shrimp. This pattern features an olive mallard flank tail that suggests the telson and appendages, a body of olive micro tubing that creates perfect segmentation and translucency, and olive ostrich herl legs that add movement and suggest the multiple swimming legs of natural scuds. The white thread underbody shows through the translucent tubing, adding to the realism.
Year Round
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents an innovative approach to scud imitation using micro tubing. The clear or tinted tubing creates the segmented, translucent appearance of natural scuds while being incredibly durable. The white thread underbody shows through the tubing, suggesting the pale internal organs visible through a scud's semi-transparent exoskeleton. The curved Tiemco 2487 hook accurately represents the swimming posture of scuds, which curl into a distinctive comma shape when moving through the water. The olive mallard flank tail creates the cluster of appendages at the rear of the natural insect. The ostrich herl legs are soft and mobile, pulsing with any current movement to suggest the constant motion of a scud's swimming legs. This pattern is particularly effective in spring creeks and tailwaters where scud populations are abundant.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 2487, #14
Thread: Magpie Thread 72D, white
Tail: Mallard Flank, olive
Body: Micro Tubing, olive
Legs: Ostrich Herl, olive
Fishing Tips
Season
Effective year-round as scuds are present in all seasons. Particularly productive in winter and early spring when other food sources are scarce and trout focus heavily on scuds.
Presentation
Fish with a dead drift along the bottom or just above weed beds where scuds concentrate. Scuds are poor swimmers that tumble in the current, so a natural drift is essential. Occasional short strips can suggest a scud darting for cover.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fishing waters with healthy scud populations - typically spring creeks, tailwaters, and stillwaters with aquatic vegetation. Look for weedy areas and along drop-offs where scuds congregate.
Water Type
Versatile pattern for both moving water and stillwater. Excels in spring creeks, tailwaters, and lakes with weed beds. Fish near the bottom in moving water and throughout the water column in stillwater.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-12 foot leader with 4X-5X fluorocarbon tippet. Add split shot as needed to get the fly to the bottom. In stillwater, fish under an indicator or with a slow retrieve along weed edges.
Visibility & Floatation
This is a sinking pattern designed to probe the water column near the bottom. The olive coloration matches most scud populations, though scuds can vary from tan to gray to orange depending on their diet.
