How about posting some scud pics

[StumpHunter]

Been working with tying some scuds this last week. It seems with each fly I'm trying different materials and each scud it looking better than the last. On the last one I used all materials I got from a craft store, all but the hook and thread.
Used a #12 hook, olive thread. I mixed colors of wool for the body dubbing. Cut a piece of latex glove for the back. Used a rainbow color floss, the floss came in 12 strand but only used 4 strand for the ribbing. Used a little green dubbing around the head.

I really enjoy tying flies because there seems to be no end of the materials that can be used. I would like to see some of the scuds y'all have tied and what materials you found that works best for your scuds.

Here is the pic of my latest fly,
Ronnie

 

[toadfrog]

I am way to blind to do that anymore . Very nice work.

 

[Pup]

Very nice SH.

You mention wool from a craft store. Do you use wool roving for your dubbing material or some other type?

Now, I do wish I still had all of my materials and hooks for tying flies.

 

[StumpHunter]

Pup, I found some wool roving (Dimensions Feltwork) that comes in a two color packs. I just got a coffee grinder and have been playing around mixing different things together. I had been cutting the wool in 1/4 to 1/2'' pieces but on the fly I pulling the wool apart without cutting and it worked out great for picking out the legs.
LOL I need to go fishing but this heat has been crazy.

 

[quivira kid]

Very nice! I haven't ever tied scuds, but know a lot of people that use strips from like a Ziplock for their shellkback. Might be something to play with!

 

[StumpHunter]

Thanks quivira kid, I will try the bags.

Toadfrog I'm about blind without glasses. When I turned 50 my eyes forgot to come with me LOL. I just got a head set from Harbor Fright that has 4 different magnifiers that clip in and can fold up out of the way. Best $15 I have spent in awhile!

 

[CrappieHappy]

Nice scud Ronnie!

 

[jjsjigs]

The plastic bags are nice for scudback. One baggie will last you for about 100 flies!

 

[AtticaFish]

Ronnie - That one looks good! Custom mixing dub is fun because you can use nearly any materials you want. I have several little zip bags with different blends.

Zac - You need to tie some.... they are excellent bugs for still water bluegills!

Here are a few.... Have been forcing myself to re-learn dubbing loops and these make good practice. I do use wire wraps sometimes, but prefer to just use thread to make the body segments as i did on all these. Just easier for me to work with. If i want weight, i wrap lead wire on the shank. I also like to overlap the segments (like the 1st & 3rd picture) just because i like the looks myself, it is not really the traditional way. Radiant Raffia (the synthetic kind, not the straw stuff) is my favorite material for shellbacks. I have also learned that craftfur makes excellent dubbing. I cut my own and blend it so i can make custom colors and lengths of fibers. Both craftfur and raffia you can get at the craft store and they come in LOTS of colors. On the last 2 pics, i used zip bag for the shell and put peacock herl under the skin to give it somewhat of an iradecent look - i like how it turned out.

#10 Curved Mustad (heavy)

#10 Curved Daichi (light wire)

And lastly - the 'Super Scud' on a #6 Heavy Mustad - its big! Looks like something a smallmouth would eat.

 

[CrappieHappy]

nice ones Russ! wheres the tutorial LOL

 

[StumpHunter]

All great looking scuds. I really like the looks on the overlap and will be trying some like that. On the last one did you use turkey or pheasent herl for the tail.
It has about got to the point that the wife doesn't want to go into craft stores with me because she can't get me out of em LOL. So many things look usable.

 

[AtticaFish]

My 2nd and last pics have some sort of feather used for the front and back antenae. Not for sure what they are but do know they are not pheasant or turkey. I actually got them as a gift from a swap on another board and never knew what they were. The other scuds use either boar hair (just the split end hair tips) and one has silicone skirt material.

I love my local craft shops!!!! A very small one in the town i work is one of my favorites just because they know me and the owner shows off any new products she has gotten in that she thinks i could tie with. There are several spots in the store that i have to walk by each time i go in..... I do know what you mean. The bigger shops might have a better selection, but the small biz may have some odd ball stuff!

 

[jjsjigs]

Those feathers in 2nd and last pic... they are not biots?

 

[AtticaFish]

Whats a biot!?! lol I don't think so. They could be, but i have never ordered biots so i can't say for sure that they aren't. I do know they look much different from the 'stripped' biots i have seen in catalogs and online.

The feathers that i used looked more like primary flight feathers from some un-known type of bird - BUT - the feather fibers are different from most feathers i have. The individual fibers are flat and wider than regular feather fibers. I will try and get a pic of the feathers, betting many will ID them easily, just not me.

 

[jjsjigs]

What's a biot? Too funny. Seriously? You haven't tied with turkey biots?

 

[AtticaFish]

I guess i don't know what a 'biot' actually is since i have never ordered it to see it and know. :blush: I do see alot of fly receips that call for biots but i have always substituted either sili legs or other feather fibers to simulate antenae or feelers.

I'm a hillbilly/craftstore fly tyer. I have lots of feathers from the craft shop, picked up off the ground, traded and swaped around from other tyers.... but honestly don't have a lot of purchased feathers from fly tying shops. Where do 'biots' actually come from off the bird?

 

[AtticaFish]

Thanks Doc - by that description, i can say i am about 99% sure i have used biots! Turkey and goose both. Now i have a name for them.