Author Topic: What size is your typical Frenchie? (Read 1499 times)

Chris Topmiller · « **on:** June 25, 2010, 09:50:46 AM »

I was fooling around with my box and realized I don't really know what the preferred goto size for these things is. I typically use either a size 14 with a 7/64 bead or a size 16 with a 3/32 bead. I have some 18's with a 5/64 bead but they are really small.

Yeah, yeah, I know, use whatever works for you, fish it with confidence, blah blah blah. I just want to know what you think.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2010, 10:04:02 AM »

I tend to use both size 14 and 16's but I have had good success with both bigger and smaller patterens.

Todd Oishi · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2010, 11:05:33 AM »

12 - 16. For me personally, it depends more on the depth of the water and its flow rate...

Mike Wisniewski · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2010, 08:58:16 PM »

I tie my frenchie in size 14 with a 1/8 tung bead. With the lead wraps it weighs .35 grams. All my size 14 flies weigh this amt. I do not tie the Frenchie bigger than a 14

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2010, 10:20:51 PM »

Man, I used to be a frenchie fan for sure. Lost confidence in it lately... but that's a different story.

I've tied it, in mass, in sizes 12-20. 20 and 16 being two of the biggest producers if I remember correctly.

Larry Hofferberth · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2010, 05:53:08 AM »

I tie my Frenchies in size 8 to size 20. They all work in the proper water. I agree with Todd, It depends on the water, what insects, speed, depth. The larger Frenchies work great on water with large stoneflys.

I am a Frenchie addict, The right color and size in the right place works every time.

Torrey Collins · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2010, 06:18:06 PM »

Any PT type fly is good in a variety of sizes. Like Larry & Todd said, I usually let the water type dictate the size/weight of my flies. In the Spring, a #12 served me well as both an anchor and as an imitation of a Hendrickson nymph. Overall I find myself fishing PT type flies in #14-18 most commonly, because those are common sizes of the Mayfly nymphs I'm trying to imitate. That said, for Euro style nymphing the fly weight usually supercedes the fly size when I'm deciding what fly to put on. Of course there is a very strong correlation between size & weight. Seems to be as the season goes on, flows drop, temps moderate, bugs (mostly) get smaller, and fish hold in shallower water- all of which lead to me fishing lighter & smaller flies on average.

Tim Long · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2010, 09:14:38 PM »

Gotta love the PT/Frenchie/Whatever you want to call a modified version of Sawyer's nymph. With a PT and a Hare's Ear type fly you can cover any situation. We just choose to make it more complicated than that...as humans tend to do in almost any situation.

Philip Short · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2010, 10:31:20 PM »

The rivers I fish in upstate NY size 12 seems to be the best this time of year. Sometimes I tie it with a smaller body but get the advantage of the bigger hook.

Loren Williams · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2010, 05:57:09 AM »

Now, now Tim-I am sure there were hundreds of guys saying: "Ppshh....been tying that fly for 20 years!" when Sawyers version became noteworthy

Quote from: Tim Long on July 01, 2010, 09:14:38 PM

Gotta love the PT/Frenchie/Whatever you want to call a modified version of Sawyer's nymph. With a PT and a Hare's Ear type fly you can cover any situation. We just choose to make it more complicated than that...as humans tend to do in almost any situation.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2010, 07:35:32 AM »

Look if you guys want to get technical it's common knowledge that Methuselah created both the PT and HE in the Garden of Eden. Since there was little fishing pressure and the harmful rays of the sun were filtered he had no need for hotspots. These flies have been exactly around for 6000 years.... give or take a few days. It's right there in Genesis.