Photo: Tied for fly fishing. Naturalist Observation, c. 1912.
Fly pattern
Frenchie
A highly successful competition nymph pattern popularized by Lance Egan. Based on the classic Pheasant Tail nymph, it features a slender body, a heavy tungsten bead, and a prominent hot-pink dubbing collar that acts as a trigger hotspot.
Key points
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Design: Slender profile wrapped with pheasant tail fibers and ribbing wire, designed to sink rapidly to the bottom.
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Trigger: The hot-pink dubbing collar immediately behind the bead triggers aggressive takes in clear or slightly off-color water.
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Application: Fished as a dropper or point fly in Euro-nymphing setups.