Musky Beadhead Shrimp

[NJpatbee]

A slight twist on the original Musky Shrimp - I am sure many others have made similar upgrades:

Hook: Tiemco 2487BL or similar curved hook (size 14 shown)
Thread: Orange
Beadhead: 3/32 Copper Tungsten Bead
Weight: .015 non-lead wire
Tail: Natural Wood Duck flank feather fibers
Shellback: Clear Thin Skin or similar
Ribbing - Small Copper Wire
Body - Cream/Light Tan fur mix dub (or similar synthetic) dubbed on the thread with a modest amount of Gold-Brown Ice Dub over the fur

I prefer the additional weight of the tungsten bead and wire and seem to get most of my strikes near the bottom. The Ice-Dub/fur blend adds a little "life" to the body, and the thin copper wire adds a little more durability than using thread - I have landed 15+ good-sized trout in an hour with the same fly, and it was as good as new. Also, take your time and use a sturdy but fine needle to pluck the dubbiing to make the legs in each section of the shrimp. I have found sizes 14 and 16 ideal for most NJ/PA limestoners.

 

[G Lech]

Very nice fly looks like a fish catcher for sure.

 

[theartoflee]

Here is a shot of those musky scuds.. here are some interesting thing about scuds they do not curl up unless disturbed, swim upside down, and also like to hang in down logs.

This is one of the reasons that scuds can be effective patterns for those who like to bobber up the steelies.