Pre Hatch Six Pack | Six Essential Still Water Ice Off Fly Patterns

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Six Essential Still Water Ice Off Fly Patterns

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The Glass Scud (Cinderella)

Scuds are present throughout the entire open water season making them a very important source of trout food. They are particularly useful in the early spring and late fall when forage for other insects is scarce as the main hatches have either yet to start or have already run their course. Their constant presence also makes them a great searching pattern.

Scuds are crustaceans which form shells over their bodies using calcium from the water. Ranging in size from tiny to nearly an inch, they are always present in productive lakes with clear water. They live close to the bottom to depths of 25 ft and more and love to forage in the weeds and marl for food. Trout often forage for scuds by swimming slowly with their snouts down in the marl. Scuds are more active in low light conditions and are erratic swimmers. Their coloration is typically that of their habitat.

The “Cinderella” Glass Scud fly was designed to represent the Gammarus species of freshwater shrimp. Cinderella’s glass bead body is meant to imitate the Gams translucent outer shell while additionally adding weight to get it down, and keep it down, in the zone.

Present the Cinderella Glass Scud near or on weedy and muddy bottoms of shallows, shoals and drop offs. Like many other aquatic insect imitations, the brighter the day, the deeper your presentation should be, and vica verca.

With a Floating Line use a long leader, cast out and let the fly sink before retrieving it back erratically. Or, it can also be dangled static under an indicator. With a sinking line, cast along drop offs and let the fly settle to near or on the bottom, then work the fly along slowly with short quick jerks to imitate crawling and swimming among the weeds. Always vary retrievals and alter the speed until you find what works.

Here’s how to tie the Cinderella Glass Scud Fly Pattern …