Little Lehigh 11/24
- Thread starter blf
- Start date
salvelinusfontinalis
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,267
Very Nice brown! :-D
thanks--- wish there was more activity on top???/ whats with the LL this year? Maybe all the rain had an effect on the hatches but the Trico action was pretty much non-existent when I was there this year & the olives have been sparse. I managed one that I saw feeding on top visably in the Hertitage section a few weeks back and some opportunistic fish on terrestrials, but has not been like years past ...... what gives?
surveyor06
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2009
- Messages
- 515
I fished the LL for tricos pretty often this year, the hatch was there, but it was tough finding fish rising to them. I fished primarliy above the hertitage section, not sure if that had anything to do with it.
I found the exact same thing on the LL, bugs but few fish rising. I only fished it a few times this past summer though.
littlelehigh
Member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2008
- Messages
- 886
I'll say you boys are spot on. Great clouds few fish rising. Gotta carry those paraleps and trico nymphs for those days. Of course Rod says both are unimportant but I know a wise man that has taught me otherwise he goes by Old Lefty :-D
blf -
Just a hunch but are you the Quakertown boy who stole your wifes hard as nails to use on that pattern you caught that fish with?
Right on the mark 🙂 Were you in Mainstream when I was talking to Andy??? And yes, my wife is still wondering where it went!
What's the most productive size Scud on the LL? I've seen many in the 18 range under rocks, but I also seem to do well with a little larger sz 16? Anyone fish or tie them as small as 20-22?
What's the most productive size Scud on the LL? I've seen many in the 18 range under rocks, but I also seem to do well with a little larger sz 16? Anyone fish or tie them as small as 20-22?
I tie scuds from size 14-20. Most often use 16-18. This fly is a staple for me in all LS spring creeks.
surveyor06
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2009
- Messages
- 515
I use primarliy size 18. I also use that size when fishing with a PT. Earlier in the season I like to use #14 and #16 in both patterns. Ive heard the later in the season the smaller the fly you should use.
surveyor06
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2009
- Messages
- 515
I use tan and grey mostly. I thin I have better luck with the tan ones on the little lehigh. Also, I usually fish this fly behind a PT, but in the spring I get alot of takes on Zug Bugs
I agree with Jay's & Surveyor's choices. Although, I really don't believe the exact color makes much of a difference (as with most hatches). With scuds, I think more in terms of lighter and darker colors. Darker olive is what I use most but a carry a lighter olive/tan color and also pink. When I fish a new stream, I turn over some rocks and/or check some underwater vegetation and match what I see.
I also tie some with a strand or two of Crystal Flash tied over the back to add a little sparkle. Sometimes that's what it takes.
BTW, my scud pattern is very simple. Coarse natural dubbing containing some guard hairs, dubbed on a scud hook. I just use a thin strip of plastic bag for the overlay on the back and fine black wire or thread for the ribbing. I pick out the guard hairs on the bottom and sides for legs. That's it!
One other important thing, wrapping lead wire on the shank of a curved scud hook causes it to flip upside down in the water - not a good thing. Either tie it unweighted and use split shot to fish it, or build up some thread in the center of the shank and tie the wire in underneath. The weight must remain at or below the centerline of the hook to keep it upright.
In limestone / Spring creeks, scuds are present 365 days a year. I nearly always choose a scud as one of my flies when nymphing.
littlelehigh
Member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2008
- Messages
- 886
Yeah I was the one that swapped you a cig for that hard as scud.
Last spring I was fishing size #20 and #22's with success. I use the orvis spectrablend dubbing. Gray/olive, Olive/brown, and tan. I can't say it was necessary to go that small though.
I have never caught a fish on anything bigger than a #16 hook.
I have trouble keeping porportions in check when I tie #12 and #14's
