March Brown Zonker

Articles w/pattern

A zonker interpretation of the classic March Brown. This fly should do well for both sea run browns, and stream base brownies and bass.

Originator:

Martin Joergensen

Pattern type:

Cold saltwater fly

Skill level/difficulty:

Easy

Instruction:

Start the thread in the rear of the hook shank.
Tie in the rib. If using tying thread, double or quadruple the thread.
Dub the body with hare's wool, leaving a bit of space for hackle and head.
Cut a zonker strip, the skin being about 1½ shank lengths.
Cut the front end of the skin to a triangle shape for easier tie-in.
Tie it in in front of the body, leaving space for hackle and head.
Pull to the rear, separate hairs and secure it with the rib.
Wrap the rib forwards in 4-5 open turns, each time separating the hairs on the strip and securing it to the body.
Tie down the rib and trim surplus.
Select a hackle, barb length about ½ shank length.
Tie in tip first, curved side forward.
Wrap the hackle, stroking back the fibers to create a classic wet fly hackle.
Tie down the hackle and cut off the stem as close to the fly as possible.
Form a head, whip finish and varnish.

Species:

Materials:

Hook	Down eye wet fly or streamer hook, like the Ahrex NS115, #4
Thread	Black, 8/0
Rib	Yellow floss or tying thread
Body	Hare's wool dubbing
Wing	Narrow rabbit zonker strip, "hare" colored
Hackle	Whiting Brahma hen, warm gray or dyed March Brown
Head	Tying thread

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