FLY BOX: Thread Frenchie

Intro

When it comes to the growing category of czech / euro nymphing flies, the Thread Frenchie may be one of (if not the best) in its class. The fly was created by Lance Egan, 3-time National Fly-Fishing Champ & the Godfather of Euro Nymphing.

OK… Lance may not be known as the “Godfather of Modern Nymphing”… but if we all start calling him that, it should stick eventually.

Fake nicknames aside, Mr. Egan knows how to tie the hell out of some flies. A few of his commercial patterns include the Rainbow Warrior, the Frenchie, and the Bionic Ant - all proven assassins in their own right. The Thread Frenchie is yet another addition to Lance’s prolific collection. So let’s get into what makes this thing so great.

“The Thread Frenchie is a simplified, more durable version of the original Frenchie. Much like the original, it has a slotted tungsten bead on a jig hook. This bug has become a staple for me when I’m guiding. It sinks like a rock, it’s super durable, and the fish like it. And it’s super easy to tie - basically the epitome of a ‘guide fly’.”
— Lance Egan, Fly Fish Food

Applications

CATEGORY: Nymph - Euro/Jig

TARGET SPECIES: Trout

If the Thread Frenchie has a nickname, it would be the ‘Depth Charge’. Lance wasn’t kidding: this thing sinks like a stone. So much so that during lower flows, this fly can almost be overkill in a #12 or #14. At least, that’s what I thought when first inspecting the fly.

Flash forward to a cold, windy winter morning on a lesser-known tailwater in Colorado. For context: the winter sweet spot for this fishery usually lies between 80-100 CFS, but this particular day was a treat. The river flowed at a consistent 120 CFS for the week prior and had maintained on that morning as well. Which was perfect: the trout would be well adjusted and willing to spread out.

However, there were two factors for which I failed to account: the bluebird skies and the crystal clear water.

Even at the higher flows, the river had been so consistent that the water lacked even a hint of a stain. Increased water clarity, coupled with the bright sunshine, made it easy to spot fish; but even easier for them to spot me.

Trout were visibly feeding super low in the water column - basically near the bottom. Probably because of their hyper awareness of all the eagles and anglers that frequent their river…

To target them, I’d need to get down to their level. Double midge rigs with split shot / nymphing mud would get down to the fish’s level, but they’d snub every fly they saw. Shit.

Now keep in mind: this is a western tailwater during the winter. Generally, you’re catching fish on midges, eggs, or streamers. Obviously, large euro patterns were certainly not part of the game plan at this point. But, I do have a major suspicion that some trout get spooked by split shot.

So instead of trying to camouflage the tin with dark-colored nymphing mud, I tied on a #12 Thread Frenchie in olive as a heavy anchor fly. 12” above it, I tied in an 8” tag with a #20 Jujubee Midge.

Now, I’m not a gambling man. But if I had to place money on it, I would have bet the farm on those bottom-dwelling trout crushing the Jujubee. With the drifts I was making, the fly was essentially hitting them in the face. But instead, they’d move to hit the Thread Frenchie!

A one-time fluke, right? Nope. The fish hammered that fly, in both the olive and brown variations, all day long. And 80% of those eats came on a #12. Which, if you know anything about winter fishing on western tailwaters, is crazy talk. You’re usually fishing a size range of #18-#26 on light tippet. Not heavy #12’s on 4X fluoro.

After stumbling upon this anomaly, I had to put the Thread Frenchie to the test on more tailwaters. High/low flows, clear/stained water, slow/fast runs - really putting it through a wide variety of fishing scenarios.

The Thread Frenchie exceeded (and still exceeds) expectations. Outside of its obvious euro nymphing applications, this fly is also the ultimate replacement for split shot when deep indicator nymphing. While I’ve had the most luck utilizing a 5X-7X fluorocarbon tag with a small midge larva or mayfly emerger, there are a bunch of ways you can set up a rig with the Thread Frenchie.

If you are using a tag, be sure to tie on a fly that weighs less than the Thread Frenchie does. Which, as it turns out, is easy with this fly considering how much it weighs. But it’s worth noting. Because the closer your tag fly is in weight to your anchor fly, the easier it gets for the two flies to drift unnaturally.

About the Tyer

Lance Egan, Fly Fish Food / Umpqua Feather Merchants

Lance Egan has had a passion for fly-fishing for more than 27 years and has made a career of fly-fishing. Having worked for an all tackle store, 2 independent fly shops, and 12 years with Cabela's, he has worked with thousands of anglers and aided each in learning more about the fish they intend to catch, along with teaching them the benefits and advantages of various types of tackle and rigging. All the while, Lance has been a student of the sport and continues to learn about the intricacies of fishing. In addition to his fly shop duties he is a part-time fly-fishing guide and instructor, a Signature Fly Designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants, and, Lance, along with Devin Olsen, and Gilbert Rowley created instructional fly-fishing videos available as digital downloads from Vimeo.com or as DVD’s (Modern Nymphing, Modern Nymphing Elevated, and Adaptive Fly Fishing). Lance lives in Lehi, Utah, with his wife, Autumn, their two children, and a beloved Bengal Cat named Cosmo.

(via FlyFishFood.com)

VIDEO: Davis James | Anglers All

Material List - Thread Frenchie (Olive)

  • HOOK: Hanak H400BL Jig Hook (#16)

  • THREAD: UTC 70 (Olive)

  • BEAD: Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads (3/32" / Gold)

  • TAIL: Whiting Coq De Leon Tailing Packs (Medium Pardo)

  • RIBBING: Ultra Wire (Brassie / Sculpin Olive)

  • HOT SPOT: Ice Dub (UV Pink)

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