Scuds are an important year-round source of food for trout, but I find flies mimicking them to be even more effective in fall and throughout winter. Scud patterns are also great for tailwater trout hunting—small flies dead drifted through fishy runs often get the attention of trout that have seen damn near everything.
Here, Tim Flagler ties the Wood Duck Scud, a great little pattern for cold fall and winter rivers. Drifted through likely runs, this fly will surely catch the eye of finicky trout or those fish that are hugging the bottom during the winter doldrums.
— Chris Hunt