Frenchie (Jig)

The Frenchie is a modern classic of competition fly fishing. It takes its name from the French competition anglers who developed it, and was made popular in the US by Team USA angler Lance Egan. At heart it is a weighted, jig-hook take on the Pheasant Tail Nymph, with a bright “hot spot” behind the bead that trout often strike on instinct even when they are not feeding on anything in particular.

Our version is tied on a jig hook with a slotted gold tungsten bead, so it sinks fast and rides point-up to snag less on the bottom. It has a Coq de Leon tail, a buggy olive seal’s fur body ribbed with gold wire, a sparkling olive Ice Dub thorax and a fluorescent orange hot spot collar. The olive tones suggest a wide range of mayfly nymphs, while the hot spot gets attention in coloured water and on pressured fish.

How to fish it

• Euro / tight-line nymphing: an excellent point (anchor) fly thanks to its weight, with a lighter nymph or a second Frenchie in another colour on the dropper.
• Indicator or dry-dropper: hang it under an indicator or a buoyant dry fly in riffles and runs.
• When: all season, and especially useful when there is no obvious hatch.

Typical materials

• Hook: Jig hook
• Bead: Slotted gold tungsten bead
• Tail: Coq de Leon fibres
• Body: Olive seal’s fur dubbing
• Rib: Gold wire
• Thorax: Olive Ice Dub
• Hot spot: Fluorescent orange collar

Hand-tied and quality-checked. Sold by the dozen; samples available on request.