The Frenchie: A Nymph That Just Works

You ever have one of those flies that just gets fish, no matter the day? For me, that’s the Frenchie. Now, I know it ain’t fancy—just a simple little bugger—but out West, we’ve been slaying trout with it for years. Euro-nymphing guys swear by it, and honestly? So do I.

Tying It Up

Grab a jig hook, size 12 to 20, and slap on a tungsten bead—weighted enough to get down fast, ‘cause trout ain’t waiting around. Body’s pheasant tail, ribbed with copper wire to keep it tough. (I’ve had one last through a dozen fish before it gave up the ghost.) But here’s the kicker: that juicy pink hotspot. Some guys go orange or chartreuse—me? I swear by pink. Something about it just pops underwater. Finish it with a soft hackle collar—coq de leon’s my pick—just enough wiggle to make it look alive.

What’s It Supposed to Be?

Truth is, it ain’t a perfect match for anything. And that’s the beauty of it. Could be a mayfly nymph, a caddis pupa, or some kinda larva—trout don’t overthink it, so neither should you. That hotspot? Might look like gills or an egg sac to the fish. Or maybe they just hit it like it owes ‘em money. Either way, it works.

Where to Fish It

Freestone rivers with rocky bottoms? Killer. Fast water, deep slots—this thing dives right to the zone. But don’t sleep on tailwaters or spring creeks, either. I remember one time on the Madison, dead of winter, nothing was moving. Tossed a size 18 Frenchie into a slow seam, and wham—wild brown. Sometimes, they just want it subtle.

How to Fish It

Euro-nymphing’s where it shines—tight-line it, get that drag-free drift, and hold on. But hey, toss it under an indicator if you’re lazy (we’ve all been there). Or hang it as a dropper off a dry. Pocket waters? Deadly effective. Just get it down deep, and let it do its thing.

Bottom line: The Frenchie’s one of those flies that earns its keep. Simple, versatile, and damn near irresistible to trout. Toss a few in your box, and thank me later.