Thread Frenchie-Ultimate Confidence Fly
I love Lance Egan’s Thread Frenchie because it is quick and easy to tie. More importantly, it is one of the most effective patterns in my box. For me, the thread frenchie is the ultimate confidence fly. For much of the year, this pattern will be the first one I tie on as my point fly. It often stays in that position for the entire day. I love pairing it with a rainbow warrior in a tandem rig. There are times in the spring when I fish all day without a thought of changing that combination.
The Thread Frenchie is the first fly I can say I mastered tying. I measure mastery by my ability to achieve uniformity with each fly I produce. When the flies start to look like clones, I know I have the pattern down pat. I tend to exhibit some OCD tendencies when it comes to lining them up in my fly box. I like when they look like little soldiers ready to march (or drift) into battle. But don’t be afraid to fish the files you tie as you progress toward mastery. The trout do not have OCD.
Why Do Trout Eat the Thread Frenchie?
Like most euro nymphs, the thread frenchie is a general pattern that looks like a lot of different things trout eat. Trout most likely take it as a mayfly nymph, which may be why it’s so effective during the major hatch season. It can be tied in a variety of sizes to represent different mayflies. You can also tie it in a multitude of different color combinations.
From a tactical standpoint, the thread frenchie has a thin profile, a slick UV coating, and a subtle tail made out of Coq De Leon fibers. Therefore, like a perdigon, the it has a fast sink rate. When paired with a heavy tungsten bead, this fly slices through the water column and allows you to drift it in the strike zone longer. During the hatch season, trout will often eat it at the end of your drift as the fly begins to swing. Lastly, trout eat the thread frenchie because they are drawn to the contrast of colors between the Veevus thread, the UTC Ultra Wire, the Hareline Ice Dub hot spot, and the tungsten bead. You can create endless color combinations and experiment with what works best on the waters you fish.
Why is the Thread Frenchie So Versatile?
This fly is extremely versatile. It can be tied in a variety of sizes and weights. Fishing mostly in central PA, I often tie on a size 16 paired with a 3.2 mm bead as my point fly. But, I will fish this fly anywhere from a size 12 to a 20. Smaller sizes are extremely effective as upper flies on a tandem rig or as dropper off of a dry fly. In the summer, it’s a blast to pair a size 14 elk hair caddis with a size 20 thread frenchie dropper, prospecting the shady spots all day long.
This fly can be effectively fished in all water types. It is flashy enough to catch a trout’s attention in fast riffles and realistic enough for them to eat in slow pools.
Lastly, the thread frenchie is an extremely durable fly. It will withstand the sharp teeth of trout all day long. You are much likely to lose it to a rock on the bottom of the stream or those pesky tree branches behind you long before it will get damaged by the fish.
So, whether you tie these yourself or buy them from troutstrike, the thread frenchie will become a confidence fly for you.
How to Tie the Thread Frenchie
What Do You Need to Tie the Thread Frenchie?
Below is a list of tools and materials that I use to tie the thread frenchie as well as many of my other patterns.
Hook: Fulling Mill Jig Force: https://amzn.to/4ayaPlI
Bead: Slotted Tungsten: https://amzn.to/40P4Q95
Thread/Body: UTC 70 Olive: https://amzn.to/3PSS1nQ
Tail: Coq de Leon: https://amzn.to/3WAMDJE
Ribbing: Ultrawire Green-Brassie: https://amzn.to/4hfrf5i
Thorax: Ice Dub UV Pink: https://amzn.to/4hxbUMU
Resin: Loon Flow: https://amzn.to/4h6Pz9p
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Join the Conversation
One of the best parts of sharing my process is learning from other anglers. What systems do you use to stay organized? How do you categorize your flies? Does the X Caddis now have a home in your box? Let me know in the comments or connect with me on Instagram and Facebook @TroutStrike. I’d love to see how you’re preparing for the upcoming season.
Thanks for reading! Spend more time on the water!
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Have a great day!
Jeff Smecker
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