Published Nov 16. 2019 - 4 years ago
Updated or edited Nov 16. 2019

March Brown Wet

Articles w/pattern

The classical interpretation of the March Brown, with a swept back feather wing. The fly can be varied quite a bit within the scope: Red, tan, burgundy or yellow tying thread giving a different color head. Gold or silver ribbing - or some other color of your choice. Various feathers for the wing.

Pattern type: 
Wet fly
Skill level/difficulty: 
A little difficult
Instruction: 
  1. Tie in the thread in the front of the hook shank.
  2. Prepare a small bunch of partridge tail covert barbs for the tail. 10-15 barbs is enough.
  3. Align the tips according to taste.
  4. Trim the butts so that the full length of the bunch is about two shank lengths.
  5. Tie in in the front of the shank and cover with thread to the hook bend. The tail should stick out about one shank length.
  6. Tie in the rib. Use thin floss or doubled tying thread.
  7. Dub the hook shank sparsely, leaving room for hackle, wing and head.
  8. Rib the body in 4-5 open turns.
  9. Tie down rib and cut surplus.
  10. Prepare a partridge breast feather for the hackle by stripping off the soft barbs, leaving the stem.
  11. Stroke back most fibers.
  12. Tie it in tip first, curved side forward.
  13. Wrap 2-3 times, stroking back and down the barbs.
  14. Hold the barbs under the shank and cover the tie in spot to form a throat hackle.
  15. Trim off stem.
  16. Prepare two strips for the wing. 15-20 barbs in each strip is suitable.
  17. Make sure each strip is flat and firmly married.
  18. Hold them together, shiny side out and place them over the fly. The wing should extend about ½ shank length behind the fly.
  19. Pinch the strips firmly, take a couple of loose wraps over them and tighten the thread pulling upwards.
  20. This should compress the strips right where you want the wings to start.
  21. Take a couple of wraps in front of the first one.
  22. Cut off the butts and cover the remaining bits with thread.
  23. Form a head, whip finish and varnish.
Materials: 
Hook
Down eye wet fly hook, like the Ahrex NS115, #8
Thread
Black, 8/0
Tail
Mottled partridge fibers
Rib
Thin yellow floss or doubled tying thread
Body
Hare's wool dubbing
Throat hackle
Partridge breast feather
Wing
Strips of turkey, golden peasant or other suitable brown/white feathers
Head
Tying thread
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