"The Carpet Bug Scud"
The Guest Fly Series
Edition #1
By: Mike Klubek
This scud pattern was originated using floor carpet fibers, but the material is now being sold as and actual dubbing. The material was very specific and still is to achieve the desired effect. I was introduced to this pattern by a local guide on the Bighorn. When tied correctly, using the appropriate material, this scud is deadly and will out fish most of your standardized scud patterns. I have experimented tying this pattern with other materials such as Wapsi Sow-Scud Dub, Ice Dub and other various materials. This pattern is by far most effective when tied with Yellowstone Fly Goods “Scud Dub”. In fact, don’t even attempt to tie this until you have the correct dubbing. You may find the same material manufactured by a different company. I have yet to find this, but that doesn’t mean it’s not out there. This material has a translucent appearance when spun in a dubbing loop of small holographic tinsel or crystal flash and wrapped up the hook. The tinsel creates the desired effect of a rib and when the scud is wet it has transparency and the rib shows through. This pattern is meant to be tied messy. I have experience fishing this pattern wherever scuds are present and have never been disappointed. This scud can be tied in an array of colors and sizes to meet the needs of the waters you fish. Tie a few up, I think you will agree.
Tyer: Mike Klubek
Recipe: Gray scud w/ black rib
Hook: TMC 2457 #10-20
Thread:
Rib:
Small UTC Black Holographic Tinsel or substitute with crystal flash
(I found the flash to be much weaker and have a tendency to break
and cut easier while trimming)
Body: Yellowstone Fly
Goods “Scud Dub”
Notes:
This pattern looks easy but can be tricky. Trimming the top of
the scud is where you make it or break it. Don’t cut the tinsel, if
you get good tight wraps this shouldn’t happen.
Instructions:
#1 Tie in a loop of tinsel at the bend of the hook. Connect the tinsel loop to your dubbing spinner then loop the thread to mirror the tinsel. This creates a double loop.
#2 Slightly wax the loop (optional), but it holds the scud dub in place and makes it easier to place in loop. Take small pinches of the scud dub and place them into the loop. Don’t try to place all the dubbing into the loop at once. Don’t worry about to much, you can always brush out the excess. Practice and you will figure out the proper amount.
#3 Spin the loop approx 8-12 times. You don’t want to spin this like you do to create a dubbing brush. The tighter you spin this the weaker the tinsel becomes. You still want the durability in the tinsel. This is why we create the double loop with thread. The tinsel will also lay flatter on the hook.
#4 Start wrapping the dubbed loop up the hook. It’s important to pull back the dubbing before and after each turn .This ensures the tinsel will lay as close to the hook shank as possible. Wrap so the tinsel creates a segmented look. Tie off at the head. At this point you should have a mess with excess material, don’t worry, this will be brushed out.
#5 With a very stiff dubbing brush (stiff toothbrush works well) aggressively brush down both sides of the scud. The excess dubbing will brush out.
#6 Pull the remaining dubbing down and carefully trim the top of the scud as close to the tinsel as possible. Don’t cut too much off the sides of the scud and don’t worry about making this fly look pretty. Trim the bottom and you’re done.
#7 This is the top view of the scud after trimming is complete
#8 The finished product
#9 You can tie these scuds in an array of colors and sizes. The color combinations I prefer are orange w/ black rib; orange w/ red rib; pink w/ pink rib (crystal flash); pink w/ red rib; pink w/ black rib; gray w/ black rib and olive with black rib. You might find different color variations for your home rivers. If I had to fish one color here on the Bighorn, it would be the orange w/ red rib. Tie the orange and pink scuds w/ red thread. I found the crystal flash rib works very well on the micro scuds #18-22. You can also blend this scud dub to create custom colors.
#10 Scud Dub from Yellowstone Fly Goods, www.yellowstoneflygoods.com