Existence of amphipods(scuds)

[Farmy Joe]

There's this little debate on another site about the existence of scuds in various rivers. Here's the link: http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=487175&postid=5810814#5810814

I know they are historically found in mass on any Limestone creek or river like the Housy, and infrequently on freestone streams like the Farmy. (note: in 20 years, I've never seen any on the Farmington.) Anyone ever consistantly see aor catch fish on these mysterious little amphipods in CT?

[Housy Dave]

Yep! I think I've caught a few on scuds :wink: :D

I think in a river like the hous, over the course of a year an average trout eats more scuds than mayflies or caddis. It's a staple of their diet. These things are available year round, and are active whenever the water is > 40 degrees (so I'm told). From halloween to christmas it's one of the only flies I even bring with me. Although you can fish scuds basically any time you want.

I think most people don't pay much attention to them because they focus their fishing around the major hatches. At times of the year when mayflies and caddis are not so active, the scuds suddenly become the most abundent food source.

My newest theory: Due to the natural flow in the hous it is making it possible for more vegetation to form in more places. Myself and others have noticed this the past few years. The improved water clarity (allows for more light penetration), consistent flows, and highly alkaline water are the main reasons. With the increased vegetation, there is a lot more habitiat for scuds to thrive. Could this be one of the reasons why sometimes fish don't rise when you think they would? It's possible...

[Farmy Joe]

Great theory, Dave. I guess I never thought of it that way. Why got out for bugs when they can stay in for shrimp and lobster. :wink:

There are people who are convinced that the Farmy is loaded with them an that they all die off in the summer on the Housy. I'm pretty sure they confuse scuds for cressbugs, which the Farmington does have. Can't seem to with that arguement. :oops:

[steve B]

Joe,
I was part of the thread on the other board. As for what was written over there I was trying to answer the question about the north east. Joe the last two kick surveys I did on the farmington had scuds show up in it. By no means a lot of them but they were there. The concentration is the main thing that will drive fish to feed on them. If the trout in the farmington only see a few scud but see loads of mayfly, caddis and stone fly nymphs they would tend to not go out of there feeding lanes to actively feed on them. As for the hosuy Dave is right on it is loaded and no they do not die off . I am not completely sure but I believe they may move the cold water just like the trout do. you said you have seen cress bugs I would like ot know what section so I could get a sample for my collection as I have not found any in CT except for a couple of small spring creeks( more of a trickle ). Just an fyi ( not trying to tell you are wrong ) I believe the farmington is classified as a tail water and not a freestone. It has a dam with regulated flows unlike the still river that feeds it whch is at mother natures mercy. Like I posted over at the OT board I had not had a scud show up in a sample unitl about 12 years ago when I switched types of kick nets. Previous to that I had been using the same one I did my college paper with in 83. It was pretty tatered at the endwas using it inside of my fishing net just to keep it together. It was hard to explain to the CFO of the family( wife) I needed a $130 net to catch bugs, but she knew I was a bit crazy when she married me.

Tight lines

Steve

[The Patriot]

The Farmington is classified as a tailwater, most definitely. But it retains many of it's freestone characteristics, like it's substrate and riffle-run-pool configuration, as opposed to for example the East and West Branches of the Delaware, which are tailwaters, but are quite different from a freestone river. The Farmington is sort of a hybrid, a cross between the two, the best of both worlds......

Just my 2 cents...

[Farmy Joe]

CT,
I've never used one of those kick nets so we'll just go with your results becuase they'd be more scientific and less speculative than mine. Did you ever take any pictures of your samples? If so, could you post them?

[Rich Strolis]

If you aren't fishing a scud on the housy from November to February, you may not be catching! tight lines

[The Fisherman]

I have used them with success on streams that have no scuds. Dead drifted and even stripped. YMMV.

[Todd K]

I know HeavyD uses them on the Farmington. I will ask him what he thinks.

[HeavyD]

I do catch with scuds on the farmington. Its a fly I like to keep under my hat. My friend Jason put me on them. Different colors work throughout the year. I use sizes 14-18. I do take stream samples and have never come across them. Attached is a picture of a crest bug (10-12) and a true worm fly (which is huge). Its amazing how some food sources are overlooked.
http://www.flyaddict.com/photos/albums/userpics/10125/bugs.jpg

[Taxon]

... Attached is a picture of a crest bug (10-12) and a true worm fly (which is huge)... http://www.flyaddict.com/photos/albums/userpics/10125/bugs.jpg
HeavyD-

Your "true worm fly" is the larva of a Cranefly (family Tipulidae) of True Flies (order Diptera).

[HeavyD]

Taxon thank you for clarification.