Korn’s Wire Head Scud - This is a simple scud pattern that I developed back when I first stared tying. I used wire wraps to form the heads of flies instead of beads. At the time, I didn’t have any beads and it was too expensive to have a wide assortment of beads. So, I just used heavy wire on my larger flies and medium wire on the smaller ones. Being able to vary the size of the wire and the number of wraps used to form the head gave me infinite adjustment on head size as-well-as the weight of my flies. I still tie my scuds this way today in; pink, orange, gray and olive as well.
Note: I also tie; PT, GRHE, RS2’s and several other nymphs like my version of the Copper John with wire heads. Maybe I’ll do a video or step-by-step, if folks would like to see how it’s tied.
Hook: Vintage Mustad 9548A size 12 scud hook (equivalent to a size ~ #16 in today’s sizing)
Thread: Danville 6/0 dark olive
Scud Back: Uni-Mylar #13 3/64" Pearl
Rib and Head: copper wire - med.
Body: Red Fox Squirrel dubbing
That’s a nice looking scud pattern, great idea with the copper wire head. That would really cut down on the bead inventory. I don’t use allot of beads myself, but I can see using copper wire a real plus.
I’m for just copper heads… I’ve quit buying multi-colored beads. Too expensive, I just buy copper and I don’t have a clue if it has slowed down my fishing strikes…
Thanks for all the kind comments… I’ll see if I can make a video and a step-by-step for FOTW… I should be able to get to it sometime next week, I’m on vacation this week. Doug.
Over the years I now have 4 high quality vises that I like to tie on from time-to-time. Two of these I got really good deals on and just couldn’t pass them up. Some people don’t think anything of spending $500-700+ on a high end fly rod of which they may already have several, but wouldn’t think of spending near that kind of money on one high end vise? To each their own, for some tying is not a priority.
Back then I was just starting out (fly fishing and tying) and needed everything from fly fishing gear to fly tying tools and materials. So I had to cut a few corners. Necessity is the mother of invention…right? I liked these wire heads so much for my local creeks here in NY that I’ve stuck with them for all these years for my scuds and smaller nymphs. Also, being a fly tier for the shop gets me my gear and materials at a very good price… (thanks Richard)
I’m glad I got my LAW vise when I did, ya can’t get 'em anymore! … I don’t use it much these days, but I do enjoy it when the spirit moves me.
Byron, both you and I like our “vises”, don’t we? We all need to have a good “vise” or two… I’m just glad mine is not a “vice” like drinking, smoking, etc. That would cost even more!
