The Frenchie Nymph is a favorite of competition anglers because it sinks fast and can imitate a wide variety of aquatic insects. Several years ago, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions showed us how to tie the standard version of the fly, but now he’s back to show us a version designed specifically to mimic sulfur nymphs in pocket water. Tim’s home water, the South Branch of the Raritan River, flows through Ken Lockwood Gorge (KLG) between Califon and High Bridge, New Jersey, and he came up with this pattern specifically for the plunge pools and deep slots found there.
In today’s video, Tim shows you how to tie his version of the Frenchie, which starts with a barbless jig hook. An oversize tungsten bead and lead-free wire help the fly get down fast in the water column, and the slim profile does a nice job imitating a mayfly nymph. As you might imagine, you can change the colors of the materials to match other mayflies, as well.
KLG Sulfur Frenchie
Hook: Barbless jig hook (here, a Fulling Mill 5045), size 16.
Head: Gold tungsten bead, 1/8-inch.
Thread: Yellow, 8/0 or 70-denier.
Weight: Lead-free round wire, .020.
Tails: Wood-duck flank-feather fibers.
Rib: Gold Ultra Wire, small.
Abdomen: Dyed golden-yellow pheasant-tail fibers.
Collar: Golden brown Ice Dub.
Hot Spot: Yellow tying thread.
Adhesive: Head cement (here Sally Hansen Hard-As-Nails).
Tools: Plunger-style hackle pliers, bodkin, Post-It pad.
Credit: Source link
