Fly Tying Inventory
Balanced Scud Rocket
Balanced Scud Rocket is a balanced stillwater scud tied by Curtis Fry of Fly Fish Food on a jig hook with a drop bead. A short tuft of fluorescent orange floss at the bend forms the rocket spot, and a red thread band sits behind the bead. The body is Ultra Nymph Dub spun in a dubbing loop, trimmed on top and coated in UV resin for the shell. It is mainly fished on an indicator but can also be pulled like a leech or other moving bug. Tied here on a size 14 hook.
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Materials
Fulling Mill 5045 Jig Force Barbless hook, size 14 (or Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook)
14
Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 12/0, red (or 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge, red)
Red · 12/0
Fulling Mill Tactical Tungsten Drop Bead, silver, 3.0mm (or Insta Jig Tungsten Head, nickel, 7/64 inch)
Silver · 3.0mm
Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags, fl. orange no. 7, for the rocket spot
Fl. orange no. 7
Fulling Mill Ultra Nymph Dub, Psychedelic Tan (or Psychedelic Dun for a gray fly, Psychedelic Olive for an olive fly)
Psychedelic Tan
Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish, over the shell
How to Tie the Balanced Scud Rocket
- 1
Step 1
Slide the silver drop bead onto the jig hook and mount the hook in the vise.
- 2
Step 2
Start the red thread behind the bead, trim the tag, and wrap a smooth base back to the bend.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in a doubled length of fluorescent orange Glo-Brite floss at the bend. Pull it tight and trim it to a short tuft for the rocket spot.
- 4
Step 4
Form a dubbing loop at the back of the shank and return the thread to the bead.
- 5
Step 5
Spread Ultra Nymph Dub in the loop and spin it into a rope.
- 6
Step 6
Wrap the rope forward to just behind the bead. Tie it off and trim.
- 7
Step 7
Leave a narrow red thread band behind the bead, whip finish, and trim the thread.
- 8
Step 8
Turn the hook over in the vise so the point faces up. Stroke the fibers down off the top of the body and trim the top close, leaving the fibers underneath long.
- 9
Step 9
Run Solarez Thick Hard along the trimmed back to form the shell, then cure it with a UV light.
- 10
Step 10
Add Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish over the shell and cure it.
- 11
Step 11
Work a final thin coat of Loon Fluorescing UV Clear along the back with a toothpick and cure it.
- 12
Step 12
Trim the fibers hanging under the body to a short, even length for the legs.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RVN7VhZ3RE
Credit: Curtis Fry / Fly Fish Food