The best methods of fishing these patterns is dead drifting under an indicator and dropped 14-20 inches under a weighted bug  or dead drifted alone with a with a split shot 14-20 inches above the Worm Scud.  The distance of 14-20 inches is very important.  This distance is needed to let the Worm Scud drift freely above the rocks and debris of the bottom but not long enough to allow it to become fouled on the bottom.  Because the Worm Scuds are so light in weight, they are moved about by the least of current giving them lifelike movements.  The lifelike movements are the secret of their effectiveness and why they so easily deceive the wariest of trout.  No matter what the weighted bug above them, the Worm Scuds will generally catch 90 percent of the fish on any outing.  They are usually my first choice and are often the only fly catching fish in our over crowded Catch-n-Release areas.

Worm Scuds need to be extremely light weight so the hooks must be small and light.  My favorite hooks are straight-eyed dry fly hooks.  The 1110 Daiichi, #26-#18 are my absolute favorites.  Though other brands are okay, Daiichi hooks are known for their sharpness. The small wire of a dry fly hook also allows the point to penetrate easier and deeper into the fish’s jaw with less force, thus making a better set and more fish caught.  The straight-eye of the hook does not encumber the gape and gives the greatest amount of hook gape per hook size.  For all of these reasons, I use straight-eyed dry hooks for all of my nymph patterns.  Because I prefer ultra-light fly fishing, zero, one, and two weight rods with 8x and 7x tippets, straight-eyed dry fly hooks are a must to complete an efficient ultra-light system.

My color choice of Micro Ultra Chenille used for the back of the Worm Scuds is dependent upon the colors of scuds within the river system.  Scuds are continually going through molting phases and continually changing color.  In the White River system, the predominate colors are the brown and olive phases.  Before molting, the scuds are either dark chocolate or black olive. After molting the scuds are yellow-copper.  The intermediate colors are bronze, red-brown, brown, light gray-olive, olive, and dark olive.  Knowing this we can produce a complete spectrum of Worm Scuds and be ready for what ever color is most prevalent.  It has been my experience that the lighter brown phases are the most productive in all situations. My favorite colors of ultra chenille are golden brown, dark tan, earthworm brown and dark brown. However, it doesn’t hurt to tie a few of light olive and olive to complete the selection.

The success of any fishing adventure is dependent upon the number of “bites” that the fisherman gets.  Catching fish is dependent upon the fisherman’s abilities and reactions after the “bite”. The better fishermen of this world simply get more bites and are thus afforded more opportunities than “bite less” fishermen.  To increase the number of bites on a Worm Scud, the thread used to tie the fly can make a considerable contribution.  I prefer specific colors of the threads for certain light intensities during the day.  Fluorescent orange thread is used for my morning bugs or low light bugs.  The fluorescent orange thread will increase the number of bites during low or no light periods.  Tan thread for the brown phases and gray for the olive phase are used for my day bugs when greater amounts of light are penetrating the water.  And lastly, light blue thread for my noon bugs which I use from 11 to 1 during the day.  I am a fisherman that quite often steps outside of the proverbial box and plays with colors for the best results.  On the brightest of days in the summer, light blue thread bugs will often out produce other thread colors two to one in bites.  Tie a couple light blue thread nymphs of each of your effective patterns—Sowbugs, Scuds, Hare’s Ears, etc-- place them in a plastic bag and put them in the inside of your hat.  When the day is bright enough that you want to dip your hat to cool you off, you will be reminded to try your light blue thread nymphs.

Tying Instructions

Step #1. Place the hook in the vise and level wind the thread from the hook eye to the hook bend.



Step #2. Tie in the Micro Ultra Chenille hanging off the hook bend.



Step #3. Level wind the thread to the hook eye.



Step #4. Bring the Micro Ultra Chenille over the hook back tie down and whip finish. I never glue mine.



Step #5. Go fish.


A 19.5 inch Cutthroat caught on a Worm Scud in the North Fork RiverCatch-n-Release area.