How to Tie the Oil Slick Frenchie Euro Nymph — Step-by-Step Guide

Fly Tying

Jun 8

Discover how to tie the Oil Slick Frenchie, a durable and effective euro nymph fly pattern that acts as a versatile attractor mayfly nymph. This pattern is perfect for anglers looking to fish with a tough, attractive fly that works great on two-nymph rigs.

Materials Needed:

Size 14 hook (standard nymph hook)
3.5 mm slotted pink bead (metallic pink Hammock bead preferred)
Brown 70 denier thread
Cocodeleon tailing fibers (about 6 fibers)
Small amber wire
Peacock uni mylar tinsel (peacock side up)
Solar Ease or equivalent UV resin
CDC feather (for collar)
Fox squirrel dubbing (for collar)
Whip finishing tool or dubbing spinner
Bodkin (for resin application)
Scissors

Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:

1. Prepare the Hook and Bead
Place a size 14 hook in the vise and slide on a 3.5 mm metallic pink slotted bead. Attach brown 70 denier thread behind the bead and wrap down the hook shank to the barb area.

2. Tie in the Tail
Select about six Cocodeleon tailing fibers, line them up, and tie them in at the barb length to match the intended body length. Secure with several wraps and trim excess fibers.

3. Add the Amber Wire
Push a length of small amber wire up behind the bead and wrap it backward along the hook shank stopping near the hook point. This will be used later for ribbing.

4. Attach the Mylar Tinsel
Cut the peacock uni mylar to a point for easy tying. Tie it in behind the bead with the peacock side up and wrap forward in touching turns to cover the entire body length. Secure and trim off the excess.

5. Rib the Body with Wire
Counter-wrap the amber wire forward over the mylar body in the opposite direction. Secure with a few wraps and helicopter off the excess wire.

6. Apply Resin to the Body
Use a bodkin to apply a thin, even coat of Solar Ease (or UV resin) to the body. Cure it with a UV light to harden and secure the body materials for durability.

7. Form the CDC Collar
Create a loop with your thread using a dubbing spinner or whip finishing tool. Clamp a CDC feather in place, trim the excess, and spin it into a small rope. Wrap the CDC rope around the hook shank behind the bead for a flowing collar effect. Trim and secure with thread wraps.

8. Finish with Fox Squirrel Dubbing
Add a small amount of fox squirrel dubbing to your thread and wrap it behind the CDC collar to create a neat, tapered collar finish. Whip finish and optionally add a drop of super glue for extra durability.

9. Final Touches
Trim any fibers that extend longer than the tail length to keep the profile clean. Stroke fibers back to ensure proper fly shape.

Fly Tying