Bead Head Scud

A weighted scud (freshwater shrimp) imitation with a curved hook that mimics the natural body shape and a translucent body that matches the olive and gray tones of real scuds. The bead head adds weight to keep it in the strike zone along the bottom and near vegetation where scuds naturally live. On waters with scud populations, this pattern can outproduce any insect imitation in your box.

When to Fish It

Year-round on tailwaters, spring creeks, lakes, and reservoirs. Dead-drift it along the bottom near weed beds and rocky structure. On stillwater, fish it under an indicator with a painfully slow retrieve near drop-offs and weed lines. Sizes 14-18. Trout eat scuds year-round because they're always available — there's no hatch timing to worry about.

Specs

• Type: Nymph — Scud / freshwater shrimp imitation
• Hook: Curved scud hook — natural body shape
• Weight: Bead head — bottom-oriented presentations
• Best for: Trout — tailwaters, spring creeks, lakes, reservoirs
• Technique: Dead-drift, indicator nymphing, slow stillwater retrieve

Why Anglers Stock This Fly

Scuds are the highest-calorie aquatic food source available to trout on many waters. Fish that eat scuds regularly grow bigger and faster than fish that rely on insects alone. If your water has scuds, this fly should be in regular rotation. Hand-tied with quality materials by tiers with over 30 years of experience.

🎣 Want to stock up? Grab our 12-Pack Scud set in gray and olive.