How to tie: a Frenchie Nymph

With : Purple Drake Fishing

The Frenchie is a versatile and effective pattern, perfect for imitating small emerging insects and ideal for a variety of fishing conditions.

Materials Needed:

• Hook: Size 18 (or 16 and 20)

• Thread: Red

• Dubbing: UV pearl ice stub (collar)

• Tail Material: Black pheasant tail (or your choice of pheasant tail or lemon wood duck)

• Body Material: Black pheasant tail

• Ribbing: Small UTC silver wire

• Optional: Different dubbing colors for variations

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Hook:

   • Secure the size 18 hook in the vise. Start your thread at the hook's eye and wrap it back to create a base for the body.

2. Add the Tail:

   • Select 6-7 strands of black pheasant tail for the tail. Tie them in at the rear of the hook, ensuring they are evenly spaced and trimmed to the desired length.

3. Wrap the Body:

   • Use additional black pheasant tail fibers to form the body. Wrap the pheasant tail around the hook shank, covering the entire length up to where you will tie in the collar.

4. Add Ribbing:

   • Tie in a small UTC silver wire on top of the body material. Wrap the wire forward in evenly spaced turns to create a ribbed effect. Secure the wire with a few thread wraps and trim excess.

5. Create the Collar:

   • Apply UV pearl ice stub dubbing to the thread and wrap it around the front of the body to create a collar. This adds a striking hot spot to the pattern.

6. Finish the Fly:

   • Perform a double whip finish to secure the head. This technique ensures a strong and neat finish without the need for glue.

7. Final Touches:

   • Inspect the fly for any loose fibers or uneven areas. Trim as necessary to ensure a clean and tidy appearance.