Jim's Fly Tying Blog: Fancy Frenchie
Posted on 30 March 2022
Fancy Frenchie
I was tying up a batch of Sexy Walts and thought why not jazz up a Frenchie a little more. All that we’re doing here is replacing the wire rib with Veevus pearl tinsel. This fly has become a staple in my box and has caught fish everywhere. I am sure that I’m not the first person to do this, but just wanted to share a pattern that works well for me. This fly was tied using a Regal Revolution vise and the Dr. Slick Tyer Gift Set. 
Materials Needed:
Hook: Orvis Tactical Jig #14-16Bead: 7/64 2.8mm Slotted Tungsten Bead Gold
Thread: Veevus 14/0 Tan
Tail: Ringneck Pheasant Tail
Rib: Veevus Pearl Tinsel Small
Abdomen: Ringneck Pheasant Tail
Collar: Ice Dub Golden Brown
Step 1
Slide the bead on the hook and secure in your vise.
Step 2
Start your tying thread.
Step 3
Tie in your tinsel.
Step 4
Tie in a clump of pheasant tail for the tail. A little less than half the hook shank in length.
Step 5
Two ways to go here. Either use the PT fibers you used for the tail, or pull another 4-5 fibers off and tie them in. Wrap them forward leaving some space behind the bead for the collar.
Step 6
Counter wrap your tinsel to create a rib. 3-4 open spiral wraps should do it. Secure and trim.
Step 7
Create a thin noodle with the Ice Dub (less is more!). Make your collar with a few turns right to the back of the bead.
Step 8
Whip finish and add a drop of head cement.
Thanks for looking at this month's fly pattern. My goal is to continue providing fairly simple patterns that don't require a lot of materials or time so you can get on the water and try them out. I tie flies for fishing not for fishermen and love to have easy patterns to fill my box! Please leave a comment below if you have questions, critiques, or suggestions.
Thanks,
Jim Naitello
jim@tcoflyfishing.com
4 comments
Thanks everyone!
Doug the body is Pheasant Tail. It really isn’t bulky at all. I just use 3-5 fibers depending on the hook size. You can certainly use Peacock Herl if you like. Tie them both side by side and let me know what you think.
Jim,
Thanks for the instruction on what appears to be a fairly simple but effective pattern. Very much appreciated. More importantly, thank you for your service.
Chris
Not understanding the body base. Isn’t that peacock hurl? Says Pheasant tail but that would be huge when wrapped?
You tie the same as I do simple flys that catch fish nothing fancy.