Trouble with scuds

All about flies Fly Tying
1

I tried to tie a couple of scuds and they look anorexic. I tried to use rabbit fur for dubbing and it seemed too soft, I don’t have a large quantity of hair to choose from, majority is wool. I’d like to ask what everyone uses to get that really good “buggy” look.

I looked at the FOTW archives for tying instructions, and still haven’t fared well.

There’s almost nothin’ wrong with the first lie, it’s the weight of all the others holdin’ it up that gets ya’! - Tim

[This message has been edited by MOturkE (edited 21 November 2005).]

2

Try muskrat with the guard hairs left in or hairs mask. Use a dubbing loop to get the desired effect.

all leaders tangle; mine are just better at it than most. Jim

3

I use squirrel dubbing with a bit of flash mixed in and make a dubbing rope using fine wire. All you have to do is wrap the dubbing rope on the hook, tie it off, comb all the fibers down on each side, trim the back closely if necessary (after a bit of practice, it’s seldom necessary, and paint the back with a good coat of Sally Hansens. It’s instant shellback, and since the only exposed thread is at the tie-off, it’s almost indestructable. The wire will show through after the Sally Hansen’s is applied, giving an automatic rib. A dubbing rope is constructed like a dubbing loop, but using fine wire. Being twisted of wire, it won’t unravel when cut.

4

Did you try Dr. Fish’s Scud which was the Fly of the Week last week? [url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/110705fotw.html:50c2e]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/110705fotw.html[/url:50c2e]
It is very straightforward…

LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL

5

I personally like antron dubbing…

its good for…
dry flies
woollies
scuds… just twist it on the thread… wrap around the hook… and strip the legs down with velco… you have a very nice nice scud!!

6

The trick to tying scuds is the way you dub them. You want a thin ammount of dubbing to start with then you want it to get much heavier as you go forward. It should look almost to fat. then take a bore brush and comb it down. Trim the bottom of the dubbing flat and even with the hooks point. Your rabbit should work just fine.
If you want some sparkle in the pattern then take a strand of Flash-A-Boo or another simular type of material and make a dubbing loop out of it, Place you dubbing in the loop and twist it. Wind it on and there you go. Makes a great looking Scud. I just finished and order of them for the local spring creek. Colors that I like are Gray, Olive, Creamy Gray and Orange. Hope this helps a might. Ron

7

I try to tie em fat for tail water here. USe some muskrat or double the rabbit. Add a bead head also.

8

I use a blend of Muskrat, Angora and Antron which is wet blended and dubbed via a loop and picked out.

Antron yarn serves as the shell back.

Simple, buggy, and effective.

9

I use Davy’s Bug Dub for dubbing and use the touch-dub method. Simply slide the thread with a little dubbing wax and touch the dubbing onto the waxy thread. What stays gets tied in… and it can help you build a fat, durable body. I totally echo the idea of brushing or picking the fibers out to give it a buggy look. It’s what works!
best fishes - Brian

10

Thanks for the help everyone, I’ll try these suggestions and go from there. I may be back for more… who knows?

There’s almost nothin’ wrong with the first lie, it’s the weight of all the others holdin’ it up that gets ya’! - Tim

11

Ostrich herl works well and is extremely easy to use.

12

Have a recipe on flytyingworld.com; the Barbie Shrimp. It is a simple tie (the picture shows it in Flo Orange, but can be tied in Hot Pink, Hot Green, & Olive/Gray.
In 16’s it is a great go-to pattern I use on the Lees Ferry (Arizona) !!!

13

Like Luke, I have tried them with ostrich. They worked good on a trip to Utah. I also tried Emu feathers which worked, but not as good as the ostrich. The ostrich is super easy to apply.

Tim Anderson
Klamath Falls, Or