March Brown/Hares Ear

[DUBBN]

Very ironic that Ron would start a March Brown swap as I was already tieing some for this Spring. Float season could start for me as early as next Saturday, but probably closer to the Saturday after. In any event I will have a few dozen of this pattern along for the ride. It, the Peacock and Partridge, the Muskrat, and a couple micro Baetis nymphs, and Midge emergers will probably be the soup du jour.

Even by my low standards for fly patterns I consider this fly very homely. That being said it is a confidence pattern for me, and I really do not want to be on the river with out it. There are many prettier patterns to be seen in the fly bins, but if I had to choose one March Brown pattern this would be it. That includes nymphs aswell.

I did add something new this year. I am using Brahma breast feathers for the tail and collar.

Hook - Mustad 3399, size 10
Thread - Uni-Thread 8/0, Rusty Brown
Tail and Collar - Brahma Hen Breast feathers
Rib - UTC Gold wire (Small)
Body - 50% Natural Hare/50% SLF Squirrel dubbing mixed

[Mataura mayfly]

Sweet looking flies Wayne!

[Izaak]

Nice looking bugs. Do you ever tie them smaller?

[Smuggler]

Stout pattern Wayne. I'm gonna be busting out the woven body MB for my pattern... tying them now as we speak.

[DUBBN]

Nice looking bugs. Do you ever tie them smaller?

I tie them down to size 16 on a Mustad 3906B hook. I use Bown hen hackle for 14's and below. If I had to guess, I would say that most people, locally, that fish the March Brown, do so on a size 14 hook. For some reason I am able to get away with using a size 10 until after Spring runoff. I did not even think about these flys that I tie'd for the swap being too large. Now I'm thinking of changing to a 16 and using hen hackle.

Stout pattern Wayne. I'm gonna be busting out the woven body MB for my pattern... tying them now as we speak.

I was tempted to submit something a little fancier than this pattern. Midge Tubing inserted with a dark Brown wire came to mind for the abdomen. Then I looked at the pile of flies already tied, and said to myself "what the heck".

[Smuggler]

Hard to argue against that!

[William Anderson]

Wayne, these are just spot on. Something to shot for. Perfect.

w

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Wayne,

You are really gonna make this difficult aren't you. Gonna be hard to meet that excellence standard. Well tied!

[tie2fish]

Wayne - I can easily see why you consider these a "go to" pattern. Even though you may consider them plain, I'll bet the water really brings them alive. I'd fish this with confidence too.

[letumgo]

My Momma said it was impolite to stare, but I can't help myself. I oggled these flies pretty good.

Excellent set of flies, Wayne. I can't top these, but will do my best to learn from your example.