How To Tie The Ray Charles Fly

May 05, 2022 · 2 min read

Learn how to tie Ray Charles fly pattern including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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The Ray Charles fly is an essential pattern for the Bighorn River, other western tailwaters, as well as limestone spring creeks in Pennsylvania. It imitates a small scud or sowbug and is easy to tie up. Another bonus is that it requires only a few key ingredients. To top it off, the Ray Charles fly is easy to fish. Legend has it that even the visually impaired have caught fish with the Ray Charles pattern!

Material List

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Step One

Slim Ray Charles fly in vise with bright orange thread body on black hook, metal fly-tying vise and neutral gray background

Begin the pattern by establishing a thread base from below the hook’s eye to above the bend.

Step Two

Fly tying project: hook clamped in metal vise with tan marabou tail and orange-thread body for Ray Charles fly

Next, clip the tip end off the end of an Ostridge Herl strand, then secure it below the eye with several wraps.

Step Three

Close-up fly tying vise holding Ray Charles fly hook with orange thread and tan rabbit fur body, fly fishing tutorial

Tie on the Ultra Wire over the Ostridge Herl, then cover the material with thread, with the rearward positioned material left exposed.

Step Four

Fly tying vise holding hook with red thread-wrapped body and tan feather tail for Ray Charles fly, fly tying tutorial

We are now moving on to Pearl Tinsel. Tie two inches of material on the shank and run the thread rearward, keeping the back portion uncovered.

Step Five

Fuzzy tan Ray Charles fly with long tan tail fibers on black hook held in vise for fly tying tutorial

Returning to the exposed Ostridge Herl, advance it up the shank with tight, neatly spaced wraps, then secure it below the eye.

Step Six

Beige fuzzy Ray Charles fly secured in metal fly-tying vise with brown thread hanging, fly tying

Pull the tinsel forward, then secure it below the eye to complete the shellback.

Step Seven

Tan Ray Charles fly secured in metal vise, fuzzy palmered chenille body and dangling thread, fly tying tutorial close-up

Finish the pattern's ribbing section by advancing the Ultra Wire up the shank with evenly spaced wraps for added durability and segmentation. Be sure to secure the material below the eye.

Step Eight

Tan Ray Charles fly with fuzzy dubbed body and red thread head clamped in metal vise for fly tying tutorial

The Ray Charles fly is ready to hit the water after securing a half-hitch followed by a whip finish.

Written by

Jared Robbins

Jared Robbins is a fly fishing expert at Trident Fly Fishing, where he brings a deep passion for the sport and an encyclopedic knowledge of gear to everything he does. An accomplished fly tier, Jared has walked anglers through patterns ranging from delicate trout nymphs to aggressive saltwater streamers. Whether he's chasing carp on a warm river flat, swinging mouse patterns for big browns after dark, or targeting tarpon and snook in the salt, Jared's diverse fishing experience means he can speak to just about any situation you'll find yourself in on the water.

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