Midge / EmergersMarch Brown Emerger
The March Brown Emerger is a versatile pattern that effectively imitates the emergent stage of the March Brown mayfly. It's designed to sit in the surface film, with the body submerged and the wing post visible above the water, simulating a mayfly struggling to break free of its nymphal shuck.
Spring
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This pattern uses a trailing shuck, sparse dubbing, and sometimes a CDC or loop wing to imitate a mayfly mid-emergence. Designed to sit low in the water film — deadly during hatches.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: TMC 200R, sizes 10-12
Thread: 6/0 or 140 Denier, orange
Shuck: Mayfly Brown Micro Zelon
Body: Fawn-color rabbit-fur dubbing
Wing: Natural deer hair, cleaned and stacked
Head: Deer-hair butts
Fishing Tips
Season
Spring, especially during a March Brown hatch.
Presentation
Cast upstream and let the fly drift naturally with the current. Make sure the fly sits in the surface film, not on top of it.
When to Use
Use this fly when you observe trout feeding just below the surface, indicating they're taking emergers.
Water Type
Moving water, such as rivers and streams.
Rigging Suggestions
The March Brown Emerger can be fished alone or in tandem with a dry fly or nymph. If using a tandem rig, place the emerger 12-18 inches behind the lead fly.
Visibility & Floatation
The fly is designed to sit in the surface film, with the body submerged and the white Antron wing post visible above the water. The dun hackle helps maintain this position in the water.
