Best March Brown Flies

Below is a list of our best March Brown flies. These March Brown Patterns have been some of the best flies for decades throughout the country.

Brindle Chute

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A go-to Missoula fly in spring and fall. The mixed dubbing body and dyed grizzly hackle makes this fly incredibly attractive to the fish. Developed on the Bitterroot River, this fly works on the Blackfoot River, Clark Fork River and Rock Creek. The Brindle Chute is also an excellent searching pattern, and we find a lot of people using it instead of the Purple haze when prospecting.

Fly Tying Material List

Hook: Standard Dry Fly Hook Size12-14
Thread: Danville Flymaster 70D Orange
Wing Post: White Calf Tail or Body Hair
Tail: Elk Mane
Body: Dubbing blended with 2 parts Hare’s Ear, 1 part Olive, 1 part Orange, 1 part Sparkle Olive, 1 part Sparkle Orange, 1 part Sparkle Gold
Hackle: Grizzly dyed Golden Brown

Parachute
Pheasant Tail

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Pheasant tail is a fish catching machine, whether its sub surface or floating. The Parachute PT has that lifelike movement in the body that fish can’t resist. The parachute style makes sure the body is in the film, so the trout get a good look at it. This is also a good searching pattern late in the season, and has been effective during the March Brown and Mahogany hatch in Montana.

Fly Tying Material List

Hook: Standard Dry Fly Size 10-12
Thread: Brown 70D Danville Flymaster
Wing Post: White Calf Tail or Calf Body
Tail: Dark
Rib: XS Copper Wire
Body: Pheasant Tail Fibers wrapped
Hackle: Dark Dun

Epoxy Back Rubberleg
Pheasant Tail

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A strong imitation for the March Brown. The Rubberlegs provide excellent action, while the shiny, bulbous wingcase provides a trigger for striking. If you choose to tie this fly, old school says use epoxy on the wing case, but if you’re moving with the times, UV Resin gives the same affect. A lot faster!

Fly Tying Material List

Hook: Standard 1XL Nymph Hook Size 12-14
Bead: Gold Bead to match hook size
Thread: Brown 6/0 danville Flymaster (70D)
Rib: Copper Wire
Tail/Abdomen: Pheasant Tail Fibers
Wing Case: Single Strand Pearlescent Flash-A-Bou over Brown Thin Skin. Coated
Thorax: Peacock Herl
Legs: Tan Barred White Round Rubber Leg

Pheasant Tail Tungsten Jig

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The Pheasant tail is a great imitation for the March Brown, and the jig style makes it better. The tungsten gets it to the trout faster, while the inverted hook minimizes snagging on the bottom. If you get excited, treat the CDC with Frogs fanny. It adds a lot of sparkle to a sub-surface fly. The down side? You need to redress about every 3-4 casts to keep the CDC dry and holding air bubbles.