Scud by Charlie Craven

I call this pattern the Plain Old Scud because there is really nothing fancy about it. Of course you can tie it in a flashback version by adding a strip of pearl sheeting to the back in place of the Swiss Straw I will use here, and I suppose you could even add a bead if you wanted, but as it is presented here is the pattern I have been using for scuds in lakes and streams for the past several years. I stumbled onto the Swiss Straw back a few years back and it not only comes in a perfect olive grey color, but it also becomes incredibly juicy when it gets wet. Besides, I hate doing things like everyone else does them so I had to change it up. I typically do weight my scuds as I find they get down to the fish’s level faster when sight fishing in lakes and that keeps me from having to lead a fish by thirty feet to get the fly down to his level. I like this part. I use the same scud in rivers as well, because …well, because it would be silly to have to carry weighted ones and unweighted ones. So there. And yes, before you ask, you can certainly change the color of the dubbing, shellback, and tail to match whatever you want. Scuds come in all sorts of colors when they are alive and various shades of orange when they’re dead, so just match the natural as close as you can and you ought to be catching fish.
Materials Needed:
Hook: TMC 2487 or 2457 #12-20
Weight: .010 lead wire
Thread: 8/0 Olive dun UNI
Tail (antennae): Dyed Mallard Flank
Ribbing: 6X Mono
Shellback: Swiss Straw
Body: Smoky Olive Sow Scud Dubbing

[@bobfowler9522]

After tying for over 15 years, I can still learn a lot from your videos - thanks so much as you've made my glossary of "tricks" enormous.

[@duderoony]

I seriously think this is the nicest scud pattern I’ve seen so far. Thanks for uploading dude.

[@mikekuczynski1552]

I feel much better now , these work REALLY good on the Missouri all day everyday . Thanks :-)

[@jdigioia1130]

Thanks for sharing. Ingenious use of the Velcro! 🎉🎣

[@erikeklof]

One pattern I swear by when fishing lakes. Awesome pattern that’s easy to tie and very effective! Beautiful scud right here Charlie.

[@terryruby2258]

Great video Charlie. Your videos have been a lifesaver during COVID, influencing me to get back to fly tying. Thank you again.

[@paulbridgers3820]

All of your tying videos are great.thank you.

[@TheXeniaman]

What a great scud pattern. That Swiss straw makes for a great shell back.

[@mantismamba]

Im tying this tomorrow! I have caught so many trout on this fly. Thanks Charlie

[@jeffprice4611]

Old with Swiss straw. I use to use this stuff a lot and basically forgot about it, with all the newer materials out. It definitely gives a great look.

[@Jay-xv1jd]

Great tie keep them coming!!!

[@cachi-7878]

Charlie, you’re quite a professional tyer and probably explains why I can’t get my lead wire as tangled as yours. That’s impressive! I now have something to look forward to. 🤣

[@samknape2362]

Best scud I’ve seen

[@TheCanary24]

So nice!

[@456fly]

thank you this looks awesome.

[@donngrimes6179]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Thanks for watching!

[@kellysmith4555]

I really like this one

[@jasonbolt682]

Awesome

[@chrisbukowski9434]

nice job

[@jeffnotti9932]

Real nice pattern... J

[@garretts.2003]

I want to see that scud with some uv resin on the back. Really nice pattern. I had never heard of the scud skin you used. I'll have to order some.

[@guytrout7101]

Nice.

[@haoduong9509]

the humor made me slip about 6000 times

[@ColinPittendrigh]

Cool fly. I like your work. One or two coats of water based fabric cement (Aleene's Flexible Stretchable) makes a similar look that is soft and rubbery rather than hard. Probably doesn't matter on this fly. I think it does on bigger ones.

[@barneyewing2664]

Yeah, I got the big wad, too.

[@EscalanteFlyFlipper]

If you buy tippet from me you should use the most expensive fluorocarbon to tie this - too funny😅👍

[@seizedcarcass8440]

I like that you used mono instead of wire. Make a more translucent body

[@SuperSudoku]

Hope your summer of fishing is better than mine Charlie, stuck here in Houston

[@jacobpriest]

Chinook Whisperer stuck fishing jetties and bayous. Sounds great to me.

[@SuperSudoku]

@@jacobpriest yeah bro catching carp catfish and bass is what dreams are made of...

[@richardherrington2852]

Where can I buy swiss straw like you used in this video?

[@Yowhatsupman]

LOL more sporting that way !

[@brooktroutangler5917]

olive or clear swiss straw?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Brooktrout Angler olive is what I used here. Clear would certainly work.