Jigged March Brown Nymph Fly Tying Tutorial

In this video, Simon ties a fantastic Jigged March Brown nymph. March Browns are the first insect of the year which hatches in abduncance that is larger than Blue Winged Olives. For that reason, they are an important food source for trout and become a spring fishing staple. March Browns belong to the clinger family of mayflies. These mayfly nymphs inhabit in the faster water in the river and have flat, aerodynamic bodies that allow them to grip to rocks in fast current feeding on detritus and algae in the current. This time of year, these mayflies have fully developed dark wing pads on their backs. Their wing pads are dark and bulging with fully developed wings inside. For this nymph creating a wide, flat profile is key to mimic these nymphs. Using lead or lead-free wire is a great way to bulk up the width of the nymph. Using cinnamon tip turkey coated in medium thickness UV resin is a great way to mimic a mature March Brown nymph’s wing case with fully developed wings. This fly uses elk hair to create the wider profile towards the head with the “clinging” legs which are characteristic of clinger mayfly nymphs. The mottled brown bead is suggestive of the nymph’s wide head, and facilitates getting your fly down deep. This blueprint is effective for all mayfly nymphs in the clinger family. Others include: Quill Gordon, Pink Quill, Grey Fox, Light Cahill; most of these are from regions East of us on the West coast. Sizes and colors can be adjusted accordingly. The March Brown hatch will continue its way higher in elevation as spring progresses, so there’s still plenty of time to fish these higher up river this spring.