Bodkin / Patterns

Middle Bead Scud

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Curved scud/grub hook, 14-18
  • Thread Tan or olive 8/0

Materials

  • Tungsten bead Silver or gold slotted tungsten bead (1, seated mid-shank)
  • Scud/sowbug dubbing Grey, olive, or pink scud sowbug dubbing (small pinch)
  • Clear scud back / Thin skin Clear scud back thin skin (1 strip for shellback)
  • Fine wire or mono Clear/silver fine wire or mono (1 for rib)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the curved hook and slide a bead onto the shank, seating it at the midpoint rather than the eye so the weight rides in the middle of the drift.
  2. Start thread and lay a base around the bend behind the bead. Tie in a clear shellback strip and a fine wire rib at the rear.
  3. Dub a plump body up to and over the bead, building the scud's humped profile and covering the bead so it becomes a hidden keel.
  4. Pull the clear shellback strip over the top of the whole body to just behind the eye and bind it down.
  5. Counter-wrap the wire rib forward in 5-6 turns over the shellback to segment the back, and tie off.
  6. Whip finish behind the eye, pick out a little dubbing on the belly for legs, and add a drop of cement.

Tying videos

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