Chironomid Frenchie

Cheech - March 3, 2018

Preface (by CF): So we've been fishing this Frenchie variation pattern almost religiously for the past couple of chironomid seasons on our local stillwaters. In two words: It slays.

Now we wouldn't expect less from the fishy mind of Lance Egan, but this pattern almost borders on creepily effective. Due to the need for getting this submitted to Umpqua for an upcoming new catalog release, we couldn't let the cat out of the bag until now, but we've seen this pattern get a LOT of usage amongst a few fellow anglers and it's pretty much the same response in terms of how well it fishes.

By now you know me as a pretty fanatical chironomid guy. And not to say I don't fish my other patterns, but let's say I've got a few rows in my chironomid box that is 100% Silver Lancers. Side note: Cheech came up with that codename for it and we actually call it that. Chironomid Frenchie is what you'll see it named with Umpqua most likely, but around here, it's the "Silver Lancer" (or Gold Lancer, or White Lancer as the case may be).

So here's a Lance's take on the pattern:
Many river anglers who are familiar with Euro style nymphing have come across a popular pheasant tail nymph variation called a "Frenchie" If not, check out our video!

The Frenchie has been a staple for me on rivers for more than a decade. Why wouldn't it work well in lakes??? It does! I've adapted the bead and wire colors, removed the tail (chironomids don't have tails) and added sparkle emerger yarn for gills. Otherwise, the fish grabbing materials from the river frenchie are still utilized. This is my go-to chironomid and is my best producing stillwater pattern when fishing with a midge tip line or below an indicator. Try the Chironomid Frenchie, I'm confident it will produce for you.

Material List
  • Hook: Fulling Mill 5027 Grab Gape Heavy - Black Nickel - Barbless - 12
  • Hook (Alternate 1): Fulling Mill 35005 Heavyweight Champ, Barbless - 12
  • Hook (Alternate 2): Hanak H 230 BL Standard Nymph Hook - 12
  • Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Red
  • Bead: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors - 7/64" (2.8mm) - Nickel
  • Bead (Alternate): Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads - Sterling Silver - 3.0mm (1/8")
  • Breathers: Sparkle Emerger Yarn - Clear White
  • Breathers (Alternate): Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags - Fl. White - 16
  • Body: Nature's Spirit Ringneck Pheasant Center Tails - Muskrat Gray
  • Body (Alternate) : Ringneck Pheasant Tail - Black
  • Ribbing: Semperfli Tying Wire - 0.2 - Bright Silver
  • Ribbing (Alternate): UTC Ultra Wire - Small - Silver
  • Thorax: Ice Dub - UV Shrimp Pink
  • Glue: Fly Tyer's Z-Ment
  • Materials & Alternate Materials Listed Below
    UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier
    UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier

    UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier

    $2.49
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
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    Ice Dub
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    Ice Dub
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    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub

    Ice Dub

    $3.50
    UTC Ultra Wire
    UTC Ultra Wire

    UTC Ultra Wire - Small

    $2.49
    Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors
    Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors

    Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors

    $7.80
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge
    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge

    8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge

    $3.50
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags
    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags

    Glo-Brite Floss for hot-spots and tags

    $3.75
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
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    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
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    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
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    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0

    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 12/0

    $3.50
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread
    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread

    Danville 6/0 Waxed Flymaster 70 Denier Thread

    $3.49
    Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Metallic Colors
    Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Metallic Colors

    Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Metallic Colors

    $7.90
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire
    Semperfli Tying Wire

    Semperfli Tying Wire

    $4.20
    Nature's Spirit Ringneck Pheasant Center Tails
    Nature's Spirit Ringneck Pheasant Center Tails

    Nature's Spirit Ringneck Pheasant Center Tails

    $4.99
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads
    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads

    Firehole Stones Plated Tungsten Beads

    $8.65
    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads
    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads
    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads
    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads
    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads
    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads
    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads
    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads
    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads

    Fulling Mill Tungsten Beads

    $7.25
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
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    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0
    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0

    Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0

    $3.50
    Sparkle Emerger Yarn
    Sparkle Emerger Yarn

    Sparkle Emerger Yarn

    $4.25
    Ringneck Pheasant Tail
    Ringneck Pheasant Tail

    Ringneck Pheasant Tail

    $6.49
    Fly Tyer's Z-Ment
    Fly Tyer's Z-Ment

    Fly Tyer's Z-Ment

    $7.95
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    $2.99