The Thread Frenchie

Lance - July, 2018

Frenchie style nymphs have been a staple in my fly boxes for many years. Their fish catching prowess is becoming well known, and there are many variations. Standard Frenchie style nymphs have one problem: Pheasant tail is very fragile. Even when you super glue the pheasant tail to the body and counter wrap it with wire, Frenchies tied with pheasant tail are left without much durability. We tolerate the lack of toughness since they work so well! I'm constantly tinkering with flies, and am always looking for quicker ties that are durable and still catch fish. The Thread Frenchie is one of those patterns. It is easy to tie, dense (which is a good thing in this case), durable, and fish love it. I find myself fishing and guiding more and more with a Thread Frenchie. This color combo has been my most productive, but there are many combinations you can try, to find which colors the fish prefer on your favorite waters. Vary the size of the bead to add a selection of weights. One great thing about jig style nymphs is that you can use various bead sizes on the same hook without crowding the hook gap. On a size 16 I carry these in a range of bead sizes. 2.3mm & 2.8mm are most common but I always have a few with 3.3mm beads for those times when you need a fly to get down fast. Though I designed this pattern for use on a Euro-style nymph rig, you can use it with an indicator setup or as a dropper below a dry fly. I've found this sleek little pattern is deadly behind a Bionic Ant, Chubby Chernobyl or hopper. Test the Thread Frenchie on your next outing. I'm confident it will become a staple for you as it has for me.

Material List
  • Hook: Umpqua XC400BL-BN - 16
  • Hook (alt): Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 16
  • Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Olive
  • Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Gold - 3/32" (2.3mm)
  • Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon Euro Nymph Tailing Pack - Dark Pardo
  • Ribbing: Semperfli Tying Wire - 0.2 - March Brown
  • Hot Spot: Ice Dub - UV Pink
  • Scissors: Dr. Slick Tungsten Carbide All Purpose Scissors, 4"
  • Body Coating: Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow
  • UV Light: Loon UV Infiniti Light
  • 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
    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
    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
    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
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub
    Ice Dub

    Ice Dub

    $3.50
    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads
    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads

    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors

    $7.99
    Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook
    Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook

    Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook

    $8.95
    UTC Ultra Wire
    UTC Ultra Wire

    UTC Ultra Wire - Brassie Size

    $2.49
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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

    $3.50
    Fulling Mill 5045 Jig Force Barbless Hook
    Fulling Mill 5045 Jig Force Barbless Hook

    Fulling Mill 5045 Jig Force Barbless Hook

    $13.25
    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
    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
    Semperfli Tying Wire

    Semperfli Tying Wire

    $4.20
    Umpqua XC400BL-BN
    Umpqua XC400BL-BN

    Umpqua XC400BL-BN

    $8.95
    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
    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

    $3.50
    Hanak H 450 BL Jig Hook
    Hanak H 450 BL Jig Hook

    Hanak H 450 BL Jig Hook

    $8.95
    Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook
    Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook

    Firehole Sticks 516 Jig Hook

    $8.35
    Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow (1/2oz)
    Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow (1/2oz)

    Loon UV Clear Fly Finish - Flow (1/2oz)

    $19.50
    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads
    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads

    Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Metallic Colors

    $7.99