Step 1

Wrap the lead about twelve turns. Secure it with thread dams on each side of the lead and cover the lead wire with thread. Your thread should be at the bend of the hook.

Step 2

Apply dubbing to the thread and you’re ready to build the body.

Note: When building the body make sure you add more dubbing in the back and taper it as you get the front. Scuds have a tapered body when they swim back down towards the bottom. If you pick a rock up and look at them when they’re not swimming you can tell the back is the highest part and the two ends are tapered, but while your fishing them you need to think about the way the trout see them in action. And more times than any I’m sure trout see them washed up and try to make it back to the bottom.

There’s also a technique where you can throw scuds out and leave them for a minute and drag them for a second to create a look like they are crawling on the bottom and stop. They’ll usually swim right over and pick it up. You can do this presentation in dead still water or where there’s minimal current speed.

Step 3

When dubbing straight to the thread your body will turn out like this. You’ll have to brush the dubbing to make the legs. I also apply red thread and tie off the olive because I like all my scuds to have a red head. Other people like orange, but no matter what it’s definitely a “local thing”.

Step 4

After you brush the legs out you’ll need to make a few cuts. Make a cut across the back to get any of the hair sticking up or on the side of the hook shank. Next cut will be the legs. Use your hook point for the reference point. The legs need to measure the gap of the hook.