Ray Charles
The Ray Charles — so named because even blind guys can catch fish on it — is a simple but extraordinarily effective freshwater scud or amphipod imitation. Scuds are year-round food items in spring creeks, tailwaters, and any limestone stream with aquatic vegetation. Fish this pattern on a slow, drag-free drift near weed beds or along current edges. Pink and tan are the most productive colors. Dead-drift it on 5X through a pool and hold on.
- Type
- nymph (Midge)
- Hook sizes
- #14–18
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
Materials
- hook: Scud hook #14–18
- thread: Pink or tan 8/0
- bead: Glass bead (optional)
- shellback: Clear mono thread or V-rib
- body: Pink or tan dubbing, plump
- ribbing: Clear or silver V-rib
Tying steps
- Mount a size 14–18 scud hook; slide on a glass bead if desired.
- Start pink or tan thread at the bend.
- Tie in mono thread or clear V-rib for the shellback and rib.
- Dub a plump, evenly tapered body of pink or tan dubbing from the bend to just behind the eye.
- Pull the mono back over the top of the body and secure.
- Wind the V-rib in 6–7 tight spirals to segment the body.
- Pick out the belly fibers to simulate legs.
- Build a small head; whip finish and cement.