Notes: Scuds can be found in both lakes and streams. They are an aquatic crustacean with two pair of antennae, jointed legs, and visible segments along the abdomen. The above pattern is generally attributed to Randall Kaufmann and is featured in his book "Tying Nymphs". Randall mentions using the scuds for Golden Trout within the lakes of the John Muir Wilderness near French Canyon, which is just west of Bishop at 11,000'. Scuds are also very prevalent within Hot Creek as they prefer slow to moderate currents and plenty of aquatic vegetation. Large scuds of size 8-14 are usually Gammarus, whereas the smaller scuds of 16-20 are Hyalella. Generally, scuds should be fished with an indicator in slow-moving waters near banks and vegetation. Inspecting weedbeds along the shoreline will usually indicate the size and color of the scuds that are present. Most of the feeding of scuds take place beneneath the surface and throughout the water column. Scuds are present year-round but Sierran trout tend to feed upon Hyaella scuds exclusively just before winter in sizes 16-18. It is also suspected that scuds play a major diet for the trout while overwintering in iced-over conditions. You tend to find more scuds in tailwaters and spring creeks, such as the Upper Owens and East Walker. Also look at the weedy edges along our Sierran lakes as the scuds will usually be present in water less than 15 feet deep. Try Gray-Olive, Tan, and Fluorescent Orange. Most of your natural scuds will be gray-olive. You might find Orange scuds within the trout's stomach in which these were Gray-Olive scuds that turned Orange while being digested within the trout. Orange scuds also work well in the Spring when run-off brings dead scuds into the water column. When scuds molt, they tend to turn a tan coloration just before molting. Trout will key on these tan colorations as the shell is soft and easier to eat. Another trigger coloration is when the scud gets infected by a parasite called, Acanthocephalan. The parasite is orange in color and is often ingested by scuds. The parasite takes residence in the middle of the scuds back and matures into an orange spot recognized by trout. For some odd reason the parasite also alters the scuds behavior so that it is attracted to light when disturbed and flees to the surface. Not a really good idea when confronted by a trout. Scuds can be weighted either with lead wraps around the hook shank or with Beads.
Scuds can be found in both lakes and streams. They are an aquatic crustacean with two pair of antennae, jointed legs, and visible segments along the abdomen. The above pattern is generally attributed to Randall Kaufmann and is featured in his book "Tying Nymphs". Randall mentions using the scuds for Golden Trout within the lakes of the John Muir Wilderness near French Canyon, which is just west of Bishop at 11,000'. Scuds are also very prevalent within Hot Creek as they prefer slow to moderate currents and plenty of aquatic vegetation. Large scuds of size 8-14 are usually Gammarus, whereas the smaller scuds of 16-20 are Hyalella. Generally, scuds should be fished with an indicator in slow-moving waters near banks and vegetation. Inspecting weedbeds along the shoreline will usually indicate the size and color of the scuds that are present. Most of the feeding of scuds take place beneneath the surface and throughout the water column. Scuds are present year-round but Sierran trout tend to feed upon Hyaella scuds exclusively just before winter in sizes 16-18. It is also suspected that scuds play a major diet for the trout while overwintering in iced-over conditions. You tend to find more scuds in tailwaters and spring creeks, such as the Upper Owens and East Walker. Also look at the weedy edges along our Sierran lakes as the scuds will usually be present in water less than 15 feet deep. Try Gray-Olive, Tan, and Fluorescent Orange. Most of your natural scuds will be gray-olive. You might find Orange scuds within the trout's stomach in which these were Gray-Olive scuds that turned Orange while being digested within the trout. Orange scuds also work well in the Spring when run-off brings dead scuds into the water column. When scuds molt, they tend to turn a tan coloration just before molting. Trout will key on these tan colorations as the shell is soft and easier to eat. Another trigger coloration is when the scud gets infected by a parasite called, Acanthocephalan. The parasite is orange in color and is often ingested by scuds. The parasite takes residence in the middle of the scuds back and matures into an orange spot recognized by trout. For some odd reason the parasite also alters the scuds behavior so that it is attracted to light when disturbed and flees to the surface. Not a really good idea when confronted by a trout. Scuds can be weighted either with lead wraps around the hook shank or with Beads.
