Bodkin / Patterns

Frenchie

Nymph · Trout · Grayling · Intermediate · 6 versions

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Jig hook, 14-18
  • Thread Brown 8/0

Materials

  • Tail Coq de Leon fibers (4-5 fibers)
  • Body Pheasant tail fibers (wrapped)
  • Thorax Pink or orange Ice Dub (small hotspot)
  • Bead Slotted tungsten (1)

How to tie it

  1. Slide a slotted tungsten bead onto the jig hook.
  2. Tie in 4-5 Coq de Leon fibers at the bend, about three-quarters of a shank length.
  3. Tie in pheasant tail fibers by their tips and wrap forward in touching turns to just behind the bead. Keep the body slim; you can counter-wrap fine wire over it if you want it to survive more fish.
  4. Dub a small, bright thorax of pink or orange Ice Dub behind the bead. 2-3 wraps, a distinct dot of color, not a collar.
  5. Whip finish behind the bead.

Substitutions

  • Thorax instead of Pink or orange Ice Dub: Fl. orange Ice Dub — Brighter hotspot; Hot pink Ice Dub — Most popular competition color; Chartreuse Ice Dub — Great in stained water; Red Ice Dub — Bloodworm/egg suggestion; Purple Ice Dub — Subtle but effective trigger
  • Body instead of Pheasant tail fibers: Turkey biots (brown) — Segmented look; Brown Veevus Body Quill — Faster to tie, same profile; UV2 Pheasant tail — UV enhancement
  • Tail instead of Coq de Leon fibers: Pheasant tail fibers — More available, slightly softer; Brown hackle fibers — Fine substitute

Other versions

5 more in the app: Fischer's Flies, Fly Fish Food Tie, Jig, Jig, Jigged.

Tying videos

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