The March Brown spider (MBS) is a good imitation for most emerging up-winged flies, which catches trout and grayling throughout the season. Even on rivers that don’t have a hatch of March Browns flies.
Over the years on UK rivers, I’ve caught hundreds of trout and grayling on MBS. As such, it’s very high on my list of…
Top 10 river flies I’m never without.
How to tie the March Brown Spider?
Fly material list:
- Hook: #16 & 14 Partridge Spider LA3/S
- Thread: Rusty brown 8/0 Uni-Thread
- Body: Light Hares Mask – WAPSI
- Rib: Fine gold wire
- Hackle: Partridge neck feather
Tying instructions:
The MBS works best when the finished fly has a slim profile. Consisting of a sparsely dubbed body and a sparse hackle (2 turns is my preference)…
Step 1. Catch the trying tread onto the hook 2 mm behind the eye. Tie in the fine gold wire and run the thread in touching turns and stop opposite the barb.
Step 2. Lightly apply dubbing wax to the thread and sparingly dub with the WAPSIHares Mask fur.
Step 3. Wind the dubbed thread toward the eye leaving ca. 3 mm to tie in the hackle.
Step 4. Wind the fine wire rib (or pearl Mylar) over the dubbing in ca. 4 even turn in the opposite direction to the thread.
Step 5. Prepare the brown partridge neck feather and tie it in by its tip.
Step 6. Using hackle pliers make two full turns, secure the feather with the thread and build a small head. Whip finish and coat with varnish
In addition to the standard MBS pattern tied with a gold wire rib, I always carry a version tied using pearl Mylar for the rib i.e.
- Hook: Kamasan B170 #16 & 14
- Thread: Rusty brown 8/0 Uni-Thread
- Body: Light Hares Mask – WAPSI
- Rib: Pearl Mylar
- Hackle: Partridge neck feather
Fly fishing tips for March Brown Spiders
On the Welsh Dee, I normally fish the MBS in streamy water at the heads of pools because water turbulence brings the fly to life…
making it irresistible when olives are hatching.
The two spider patterns work as good imitations when the following flies are emerging, and they are always the fly patterns I try first.
- March Browns
- Large Dark Olives
- Large Brook Dun
- Grannom
- Medium Olive
- Olive Upright
Usually, I fish either of the March Brown spider patterns on the top or middle dropper of a team of three flies with either a pheasant tail nymph or black hopper on the point.
Equipment-wise I use a 9ft 5# rod, a floating line, and a 9ft 5X copolymer leader, which has been cut back to 5ft from the butt end. At the end of the leader, I tie on two 3ft lengths of 3lb copolymer to form 2 droppers.
Check out the following link to learn more about fishing North Country spiders.
Fishing North Country spider flies that are found in my fly box.
Finally, I hope this article stimulates you to tie a few March Brown spiders and test them on either the Welsh Dee or your local river.
No doubt the March Brown Sider is an excellent pattern that will be an effective addition to your fly box! Spiders may be old patterns but the fact that we still tie and use them is a testimonial
to their effectiveness! Tie some up and you em! You will become a convert!
Hi Mike,
The first trout I caught over 40 years ago was on a partridge and orange and since then I just love fishing the North Country spiders and they have caught me 100’s of trout and grayling. Long may their success continue.
Cheers, Andrew
roofcareuk@gmail.com
Great blog with loads of useful information. Thank you
Hi Nick,
It’s great you enjoyed the article.
Merry Christmas, Andrew
Spiders are one of my go to flys on the river and still water…. had a lot of my best fish on them …
I have to agree with you there. My best grayling and trout last year fell to the pearl ribbed March Brown spider.
Cheers, Andrew
Do you ever mix weighted nymphs with one of the spiders on a top dropper or fish a duo of spiders only? Also how do you fish them – downstream? Thanks
Hi John,
I do mix and match with weighted nymphs depending on the conditions. Normally, I cast them across the river and let them swing around in the current. Make several small mends to slow their swing. Normally takes come immediately after a mend.
I hope this helps, Andrew
Caught a few on the Usk last week on MB spiders. So satisfying when they are self tied. Thanks for the patterns.
Hi David,
Pleased that the spider pattern has worked on the Usk.
Cheers, Andrew
Will have a go tying these, had success in the past with MBS on the Wye but not so much on the Usk
Hi Dave,
That’s interesting I’m not sure why that would be.
Andrew
Good pattern thanks for sharing Andrew
Hi Graham,
No problem, I hope it proves helpful.
Tight lines, Andrew
Nice article Andrew. Now my question, I’ve purchased quite a bit of partridge over the years, and nothing I’ve ever had is as presentable as yours. Where did you get such quality plumage?
Hi Rick,
I usually get them from Cookshill and I buy a whole skin. They last quite a while.
https://cookshill-flytying.co.uk/game-skin-range/
I hope that helps.
Great to hear you enjoyed the post. Andrew
Cookshill also sell packets of brown partridge feathers (along with packets of other partridge feathers). I picked one up from the BFFI yesterday for £3.50.
Martin
Great to hear you found some.
Andrew
Thank you, I’ll check into it. Keep up with the beautiful posts.
thanks
Hi Andrew,
I very much enjoyed the talk arranged by the Grayling Society that you gave last Thursday.
The March Brown Spider is one of my favourite flies and I’ve tied some on the lighter Kamasan B170 rather than the B175 that I typically use.
Do you ever anoint spiders with floatant?
Regards,
Martin
Hi Martin,
Please to hear you enjoyed my talk and I hope it helps you fish at Llangollen.
I don’t apply floatant to spiders. However, when I want to keep them very close to the surface I will apply Mucilin fly line floatant to the leader up to a few inches from the spider.
I hope this helps, Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for the tip – that seems a far better solution.
Martin
You’re welcome.
I have always used Pearsall gossamer silk thread. But I can’t get it anymore, what is a good substitute for red and orange?
Hi Ernie,
Have you tried the Semperfli silk thread – link attached https://www.theessentialfly.com/semperfli-pure-silks-threads.html
I hope this helps, Andrew
i have not tried that. Thanks for the info.
Ernie