Franke Shiner

The Franke Shiner is a classic streamer pattern developed by Floyd Franke, a distinguished Catskills fly tyer and co-founder of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild. Designed to imitate small baitfish such as shiners and trout fry, this pattern features a pearlescent body and layered bucktail wings, creating a lifelike profile that effectively attracts predatory fish. The Franke Shiner has proven successful in various fishing environments, including the waters around Lake Erie, and remains a staple in many anglers' fly boxes.

Drag it along structure: Cast near submerged logs, weed beds, or rocky outcroppings, and allow the fly to briefly scrape or hover close to these features. This mimics the hiding behavior of small fish and provokes ambush strikes from lurking predators.