French Fancies - These Are Exceedingly Good!
Morning,
You know those little French cakes you see in the bakery window?
Perfectly iced, pink, and smugly sitting there like they know they’re better than a custard cream.
Well … meet the fly-fishing equivalent.
We’ve just received a very limited batch (only 40 selections) of nymphs from our French Vice Master - Stan, of Nymphevolution fame.
He’s a bit of a quiet genius — the kind of bloke who doesn’t say much, just ties immaculate flies that seem to fool fish out of pure style alone.
He calls these little wonders Pinkies ... we’ve christened them the French Pinkies — because, like a French Fondant Fancy, they’re irresistibly sweet, delicate, and ever so slightly decadent.
River Fishing Tip:
Autumn is prime Grayling season, when the water clears and the fish get picky.
This is when a small, neat, understated pattern can make all the difference. The French Pinkie isn’t shouty — it’s just the perfect shade of pale pink that catches the light and a fishes attention, without screaming "danger".
A slim body and a perfectly turned 2.0mm glass bead mean it cuts through the flow quickly and acts as naturally as a nymph can — right where the fish dine.
Fish it Euro-nymph style, tight and controlled, and you’ll soon see why I'm so fond of these fancy little French things.
I asked Stan what inspired the body colour.
He smiled, shrugged, and said, "It works … and it looks beautiful" - that’s French modesty for you.
So if you fancy giving the Grayling (or Rainbow Trout) something elegant to chew on this autumn — now’s your chance, just click here.
Stillwater Fishing Tip:
When using these French Pinkies on a Stillwater you will need to fish them as close to the bottom as you can, so they will perform better on a short leader and sinking line - just gently tweeked back.
Also, fish these around any inlets that feed water into the Stillwater, fish often wait in the current and feed from the nymphs washed into the water.
These French Pinkies are ideally used as a point fly in any nymphing setup (and great for sight nymphing), they make a good shrimp imitation. Don't forget about using these on stillwaters also (over half of shrimps are found in stillwaters). These French Pinkies are all tied on strong size 14 barbless hooks.
The tying specification for these nymphs is:
- Fly Name: French Pinkie Nymph
- Hook: Dohiku HD645 N°14 Barbless Buzzer
- Head Composition: 2mm Coloured Glass Bead (Baby Pink, Orange & Pearl White)
- Body Composition: Specialist French Braid
- Thorax: Spectra Dubbing
- Weight: Light - 0.04g
We are making these nymphs available as a selection of 12 - four each of the three bead colours (Baby Pink, Orange & Pearl White) - just click on any of the fly images or buttons to view more detailed images of each individual nymph. This selection of 12 nymphs is priced at £24.00 - I do understand these are at the pricier end of the spectrum for flies, but the quality is simply outstanding.
Please Note: We only have 40 selections available - I'm keeping some to use myself. So you will need to be quick!
We've also put aside some of these French Pinkies to buy individually, you can find them here, at £2.25 each:
*** We've only 40 of these selections available - and when they're gone, they're gone - if you would like one, grab one while you still can. ***
1. Go smaller than you think, but start with a size 14 - When the leaves start falling and the water turns gin-clear, Grayling start inspecting every little detail — and that includes your fly. A size 14 French Pinkie might not sound small, but it’s the sweet spot for autumn. Big enough to get down quickly with its glass bead, but delicate enough to look like natural food rather than an alien invader. Once the frosts set in, you can step down to a 16 or 18 — but for now, 14 is le numéro parfait
2. Keep it subtle, not sparkly - There’s a time for glitter, and this isn’t it. In low, clear autumn water, a slim, pale pattern like the French Pinkie blends in just enough to tempt without triggering alarm bells. Remember: Grayling love pink, but they don’t want to see it at full volume.
3. Fine Tippet Wins - 6X or even 7X fluorocarbon might feel like fishing with spider silk, but that extra finesse lets your flies move naturally. It also helps your Pinkie sink quicker, cutting through surface drag. Check for wind knots — one little kink and snap, there goes your French fancy.
4. Let The Bead Do The Work - The beauty of a glass bead (especially one tied as neatly as Stan’s) is that it gets you to the feeding depth in slower Autumnal water. Don’t over-weight your rig — aim for contact, not anchor. If you’re feeling each tick of the riverbed, you’re in the right zone; if you’re snagging every cast, lighten up.
5. Watch Your Sighter Like A Hawk - Grayling takes are subtle — more like a polite nibble. That tiny hesitation in your sighter could be the fish of the day. Strike first, question later. The worst that happens? You just re-set the drift like a pro. The best? You’re holding a fin-perfect grayling with a French fly in its lip.
6. Slow Down. Way Down - Autumn isn’t a race. The fish are holding tight in the slower seams, not charging around mid-river. Move methodically, fish every line properly, and give the fly time to work. Think of it as a long French lunch — savour every cast.
7. Change Your Angles - If a drift doesn’t produce, adjust your approach. Move a few steps upstream or across and try again. A different angle can change how that Pinkie rides the current. The smallest adjustment in entry point or rod height can turn a blank day into a blinder.
7½. Always Carry Cake - Because, let’s face it, Grayling fishing is at its best when there’s a hot flask and something sweet waiting in your bag.
And if anyone asks why you’re eating a Fondant Fancy mid-river, just tell them you’re matching the hatch — à la française.
Tight lines.
P.S. If you want to know a few interesting Grayling facts ... keep scrolling:
Grayling Facts — Because Knowledge Catches Fish Too
Why Pink Works So Well: - Grayling have an unusual sensitivity to red and pink tones, especially in cold, clear water. As temperatures drop, their diet shifts towards smaller invertebrates and shrimp — both of which show a pinkish hue underwater. That’s why subtle pink patterns like the French Pinkie trigger such confident takes — they mimic both food and instinct.
The Autumn Advantage: - When the trout season closes, the Grayling move in. As the water cools, oxygen levels rise and Grayling become more active, feeding steadily through the short daylight hours. The key? Fish when the water hits around 8–10°C — that’s when they’re most willing to rise or take a nymph.
Where They Hold: - Look for them just off the main current — behind boulders, along gravel runs, or in gentle tail-outs. Grayling hate turbulence but love oxygen. If you can stand comfortably without being bowled over, you’re probably standing exactly where they are.
Drift > Depth > Distance: - You’ll catch more fish with a perfect drift than an extra foot of depth or a longer cast. The French Pinkie’s slender design helps it cut through the flow and stay in the feeding lane, giving that natural “just drifting by” presentation that Grayling can’t resist.
Did You Know? - A big Grayling’s dorsal fin isn’t just for show — it helps the fish stabilise in fast currents, allowing them to feed in the kind of delicate micro-eddies that trout avoid. It’s also why they’re sometimes called the “Lady of the Stream.” Elegant, graceful, and — when hooked — completely unladylike.
