Fly Tying Inventory
Ray Charles
The Ray Charles is a simple sow bug imitation made from natural ostrich herl, with a strand of pearl Flashabou pulled over the back and a fluorescent orange thread head. It takes only a hook, thread and two materials, so it is quick to tie in numbers. Fish it as a nymph for trout. Besides the natural herl version, it is worth tying in orange, pink and gray. Tied here on a size 16 dry-fly hook.
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Materials
Dai-Riki 300 standard dry-fly hook, size 16 (or any standard dry-fly hook)
16
8/0 or 70 denier thread, fluorescent orange
Fluorescent orange · 8/0
Flashabou, pearl, for the shellback
Pearl
Ostrich herl, natural
Natural
How to Tie the Ray Charles
- 1
Step 1
Start the orange thread behind the eye and wrap a base back to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a strand of pearl Flashabou on top of the shank, leaving the long end trailing past the bend.
- 3
Step 3
Clear the fibers from a short section at the end of a natural ostrich herl so it ties in cleanly.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in the herl at the bend and bring the thread forward to just behind the eye.
- 5
Step 5
Wrap the herl forward in close turns to just behind the eye. Tie it off and trim the excess.
- 6
Step 6
Pull the Flashabou forward over the top of the body and tie it down behind the eye. Trim the excess.
- 7
Step 7
Build a small orange thread head, whip finish and trim the thread.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY0KjL2CiBM
Credit: Tim Flagler / Tightline Productions