Bead Body Sowbug or Scud

The Bead Body Sowbug/Scud is a simple, highly effective imitation of freshwater crustaceans that trout feed on year-round. The bead body adds weight and subtle flash while helping create the natural curved profile of a real sowbug or scud. Sparse dubbing and soft fibers give the fly a translucent, buggy appearance that comes alive in the water. Fished near the bottom in tailwaters, spring creeks, and lakes, this pattern excels as a dependable, natural food imitation rather than an attractor.

Fish the Bead Body Sowbug/Scud on a slight angle across the current, not straight upstream. That sideways drift causes the bead to roll the fly just enough to flash and pulse, mimicking a scud tumbling naturally along the bottom.