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The March Brown
By
Cameron Larsen
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Entomologists classify it
differently depending on where they are located. For the
excessively curious, if you are in England you are talking
about the Rithrogena Germanica, if you are on the
Battenkill River in Vermont you are talking about the
Stenonema Vicarium and if you are on the Yakima River in
Washington you are talking about the Rhithrogena
morrisoni. Whatever the entomologists call it, fly
fisherman call it the March Brown. Hatching as early as
February or as late as June, depending on the location and
the severity of the particular winter, it is a big brown
mayfly hatch that awakens the senses of trout, and
rekindles the trout fly fisher with their passion.
No other mayfly can be quite so anticipated as the March
Brown. The first major hatch of the spring season, it
signals the end of winter to a fly angler, as much as the
coming of a local Hickory Farms signals Christmas. The
March Brown is one of the oldest patterns out there,
around since the beginning of fly fishing. So it has been
that generations of fly angler’s have long awaited the
dawning of spring, by designing the dry fly pattern to
fool the newly awakened trout.
Nymphs:
The March Brown Nymph belongs in the clinger family of
mayfly nymphs. They are found in faster riffles, and can
make for great sub-surface fishing in the early stages of
the hatch. There is a March Brown mayfly, that doubles as
a great searching pattern as well. Also popular for the
March Brown hatch is the Gold Rib’s Hare’s Ear, and
Soft Hackle’s are effective as emerger’s in the
surface film. As mentioned above the March Brown is fairly
good sized, use 12-14 nymphs.
Adults:
March Brown’s tend to hatch early afternoon, which is
nice, since early spring weather can be the most brutal
fishing weather of the year. By afternoon the anxious fly
fisherman stands a better chance of not being froze off
the water. Spinner falls happen right at dusk, and usually
occur over fast water. A popular technique has the fly
fisher looking downstream for a back eddy or pool that
will hold a congregation of March Brown spinners. This
often will result in the best March Brown fishing of the
season.
The Fishing:
Despite their winter hiatus from active feeding trout seem
to emerge in Spring a little hesitant. And often times
they may be uncharacteristically selective. Since March
Brown’s are in faster water, it might be difficult to
get a read on what the trout are actually doing, if
anything. If unsure I usually begin with a soft hackle
Hare’s Ear, right below the surface and see if fish are
hitting the emerger. If no action there I will then sink
the fly or switch to a Beadhead Hare’s Ear. While always
looking for some surface action.
When it does start up, be prepared it can be short-lived
but well worth the effort. Especially early afternoon. And
then for the intrepid line up your pool or back eddy for
the very late spinner fall.
Ahh, at last Spring has arrived!
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