FLYMPH FORUM

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

Sweet looking flies Wayne!

Nice looking bugs. Do you ever tie them smaller?

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

Izaak wrote: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.

Smuggler wrote: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".

Hard to argue against that!

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

w

Wayne,

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

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.

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.