MBA (March Brown Alternative)

[Hans Weilenmann]

Folks,

As we have March Brown wingless wets on our forum mind, and also as a sort of follow-up to Kelly's thread, I figured I might offer up for inspection and conversation the MBA (or perhaps better MBA #1 and MBA #2) - put together to appeal to sophisticated, well educated trout

While they look pretty much the same (at least I hope they do ) there is a subtle difference in the tying sequence, which ties in with the thread Kelly started.




MBA #1
MBA (March Brown Alternative)
Hook: Partridge Ideal Nymph #10
Thread: Benecchi 12/0, black
Thorax/under-collar: Pine squirrel back - tied in tips facing over the eye
Rib: Wire, black
Tail: Hen pheasant tail barbs
Abdomen: Muskrat
Hackle: Whiting Brahma saddle hackle, mottled brown/gray




MBA #2
MBA (March Brown Alternative)
Hook: Partridge Ideal Nymph #10
Thread: Benecchi 12/0, black
Hackle: Whiting Brahma saddle hackle, mottled brown/gray
Rib: Wire, black
Tail: Hen pheasant tail barbs
Abdomen: Muskrat
Thorax/under-collar: Pine squirrel back - inserted into split thread

Cheers,
Hans W

[letumgo]

Hans - I've studied and studied these two patterns and the results are very close, but I had to pick a favorite it would be the first one. There is a subtle difference in the shape of the collar that I like better. Do you have a preference, or are they just too close? Just currious...

[Kelly L.]

Hans, I love both of them. Very nice work!

[hankaye]

Hans, Howdy;

Up to your excellent standard as usual.

The hackle and under coller in #1 appear to be more closed and
therefore fuller than #2's. perhaps it's a result of tying the under coller
into position after being folded into position.

I like them both equally.

hank

[Stendalen]

Hi Hans

Really like the colour on these flies. As said the first one look better in my eyes (dry), come to tink of a staggering bull (I think the term is)...raging towards an unsuspecting trout.

Martin

[Soft-hackle]

Hans,
I really like them both, but I will say one thing-for you, they seem a bit heavy on the hackling. Normally, your hackle is sparser. I know there might be a reason, so, what do you think?

Mark

[Hans Weilenmann]

Hans,
I really like them both, but I will say one thing-for you, they seem a bit heavy on the hackling. Normally, your hackle is sparser. I know there might be a reason, so, what do you think?

Mark

Well spotted, Mark!

Most of my wingless wets I tie for fishing dead drift in the film or just under it. Those tend to be quite light dressings.

Some, though, are for fishing on a swing, or Leisenring Lift (USA) or Induced Take (UK). The MBA falls in that group.

And others still are for getting down fast, while still maintaining a slender outline. Here is an example of this third group:


Depth Charge (red)

Cheers,
Hans W

[willowhead]

there is no surperlative that is adaquate............

[Kelly L.]

That Depth Charge is adequately named, it is dyno-MITE!!!