Best Scud Fly Patterns
Ninch’s Pill Popper
Another hot fly on the Missouri. We carry this fly in sizes 14-18, and of course the bead size changes as the hook size gets smaller. The mixed colors in this dubbing give the fly a very lifelike appearance in the water, and again the hot bead gets the trout to notice the imitation. Quick aside. If you’re on the Missouri during high water, a Wire Worm will take its share of fish, as well as a great sinking fly to take your scud to the bottom.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 2XH, 2XS Scud Hook Size 14
- Bead: 1/8” Hot Pink
- Thread: 6/0 Fl. Pink Danville
- Rib: Extra Small Silver Wire
- Body: Light Shade Rainbow Scud Dub, loop dubbed, trimmed flat top and bottom
Ninch’s Cotton Candy
One of our best flies for the Missouri River. As a tailwater, the Missouri has an incredible biomass, and the hot bead allows the trout to notice and differentiate the imitation from all the naturals. Additionally, when a scud is egg laden, the eggs are often orange, so the Orange Hot Bead also hints at the egg laying stage of a scud as well.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 2XH, 2XS Scud Hook Size 14
- Bead: Fl. Orange 1/8”
- Thread: Pink 6/0 Uni Thread
- Rib: X-Small Pink Wire
- Flashback: Krinkled Silver Mylar
- Body: Pink Scud Dub, loop Dubbed and trimmed flat top and bottom
Ray Charles
Probably the most famous scud pattern, the ray Charles continues to work 30 years after it was introduced. The combination of the active Ostrich Herl and the subtle flashback give this fly a very life-like appearance. This fly works on the Missouri, and is effective in the stillwaters that surround Missoula. No Stillwater box is complete without some Ray Charles.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 2XS, 2XH Scud Hook Size 14
- Bead: Gold 7/64”
- Thread: Red 6/0 Danville
- Tail: Brown Hackle Fibers, short
- Rib: Extra Small Silver Wire
- Flashback: Single Strand Pearlescent Flashabou
- Body: Pale Orange Ostrich Herl
Tailwater Sowbug Jig
The jig fly has completely changed the nymph game. Using a tungsten bead to ride upside down, the jig fly simultaneously snags less and sinks faster. Both of these are a positive in nymph fishing! This scud pattern has proven effective in both river and lakes, getting down where it needs to be.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: Fulling Mills FM50 45 Size 14
- Bead: 7/64” Slotted Tungsten Bead
- Thread: Red 6/0 Danville Thread
- Rib: Extra Fine Silver Wire
- Body: Light Shade Rainbow Scud Dub, loop dubbed, trimmed flat top and bottom. Bottom of fly colored with Brown Magic Marker
