March Brown

Traditional mayfly imitation. Important spring hatch, especially in Eastern and Midwestern streams.

Printed on the 8 of clubs

The March Brown is one of the first substantial mayflies of the year, hatching in early spring when water is still cold and fish are not yet looking hard at the surface. That makes the wet fly version more useful than the dry on many days: trout are feeding, but a foot down rather than on top.

The traditional dressing — a hare's ear body, a mottled brown partridge or hen hackle and a paired quill wing — is a classic example of the old winged wet fly, a style largely displaced by nymphs and now enjoying a quiet revival. Fished on the swing it presents a drowned or emerging insect at exactly the depth cold-water fish want it.

Early season fishing rewards covering water rather than waiting for rises, and a team of wets swung through likely runs is one of the more efficient ways to do that. On a cold April afternoon it will often outfish an indicator rig, and it is considerably more enjoyable.

What does a March Brown imitate?

Drowned and emerging March Brown mayflies.

How do you fish a March Brown?

Down and across on a swing, allowing the flies to hang at the end before recasting. Fish it as the point or middle fly on a team of two or three wets.

When should you fish a March Brown?

Early spring during March Brown emergences, and generally through the first weeks of the season when water is cold.

What are the quick tips for fishing it?

• Cover water rather than waiting for rises in early season.
• Let the flies hang for several seconds at the end of the swing.
• A team of three wets covers three depths at once.

How is a March Brown tied?

• Hook: standard wet fly, #10-#14
• Tail: brown partridge fibres
• Body: hare's ear dubbing
• Rib: fine gold wire
• Hackle: brown partridge or hen
• Wing: mottled hen quill sections

Dressings vary by tier and region. Treat this as the common recipe, not the only one.