A March Brown wet fly pattern that is great for early season trout

The March Brown wet fly (MBWF) is a great imitation of early-season up-winged flies as they emerge. For example, large dark olives (Baëtis Rhodani), March Brown (Rhithrogena Germanica), and Large Brook Dun (Ecdyonurus Torrentis).

The pattern I fish is a subtle variation of the all-time classic wet fly, the origin of which goes back many years. Fished on rivers, it’s…

deadly then trout refuse to take the dry fly.

In addition to being an excellent fly for catching brown trout, I’ve caught plenty of Welsh Dee sea trout fishing in the evening.

How to tie the March Brown wet fly

Material list:

• Hook: #16 & 14 Kamasan 402
• Thread: Rusty brown 8/0 Uni-Thread
• Body: WAPSI fox squirrel dubbing
• Rib: Gold wire
• Hackle: Brown partridge neck
• Wing: Ostrich wing feather slips

Step-by-step instructions:

Step 1. With the hook locked in the vice, start the rusty brown 8/0 thread at the head. Tie in the gold wire and take the thread in touching turns towards the bend. Opposite the barb, tie in the partridge tail.

Step 2. Wax the rusty brown thread. Then, take a small pinch of the fox squirrel dubbing and lightly dub the thread.

Step 3. Wind the dubbed thread forward, stopping 2 mm from the eye. I prefer to tie the March Brown wet fly with a slim body profile.

Step 4. Wind the gold wire forward in about 4 turns and tie it off with the thread. Apply more wax before tying in the hackle in the next step.

Step 5. Take a brown partridge feather, hold it by the tip and stroke the fibres backwards. The fibres should be long enough to extend just past the hook point when tied in. Using the waxed thread, tie down the feather with the upper side facing.

Step 6. Using a pair of hackle pliers, make 2 turns of hackle, trap the quill with the thread, and trim the waste. To form the legs, separate the hackle evenly on both sides, and with your thumb and forefinger stroke the fibres back away from the eye and below the shank. Hold it in place and take several wraps of thread over the fold to hold in place.

Step 7. Take a left and right Ostrich secondary wing feather. Remove a slip of equal width from each quill. Place the two slips together with the dull side facing inwards. Align the wing along the body, so it extends just past the bend and tie it in.

Step 8. Finally, form a small head with the thread, whip finish, apply varnish to the head, and with a dubbing needle ensure the hook eye is free of varnish.

Fly fishing tips for March Brown wet fly (MBWF)

On wild rain-fed rivers and streams, wet fly fishing is often the best approach when it’s difficult to see fish rising or see the dry fly on the surface. Also, if trout refuse to take the dry fly, I switch to wet fishing.

Early in the trout season, one of my favourite teams of wet flies/nymphs consists of MBWF (top dropper), MB spider (middle dropper), and pheasant tail nymph (point fly).

For wet fly fishing, 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.

It is important to degrease the leader with fuller earth to ensure it sinks.

Finally, I hope this article stimulates you to tie the March Brown wet fly and test it on your local river or take a trip to fish the Welsh Dee on a day ticket beat, where it catches plenty of spring brown trout.