The subtleties of fly fishing in the western United States can be
overlooked by many anglers. Even the very best of the best sometimes
miss the slight differences between fishing the rich fly water from the
Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast.
But nothing gets by A.
K. Best, and when this veteran fly angler and fly tyer decided to tweak
a classic mayfly dun pattern for fishing out west, his meticulous
attention to detail payed off.
A. K.’s well-loved Western
March Brown is tied just like a classic American (or Eastern) March
Brown mayfly dun, but displays the appropriate color palate to match
the western species of this bug. This fantastic dry fly’s highly
visible upright wings, stiff hackle, tapered biot body, and long tails
allow it to float high on the water’s surface, even in the roughest
riffles in the west!
Specifications:
- This fly pattern was developed by A. K. Best, one of the world’s most well-known and revered fly tyers
- March Brown imitation in the adult life stage
- Use as either an impressionistic searching fly or as a realistic imitation when matching the hatch
- A must-have fly pattern for any western fly angler
- Hatches throughout North America occur during early spring (March through May)
- Nymphs and emergers are active during the morning and afternoon with rare but sometimes productive activity during the evening hours
- Fish on a dead drift in medium to fast water
- When targeting fish during a prolific hatch, cast upstream and drift through the main current
- Be sure to use lighter terminal tackle when fishing slower eddys and pools
- Cooler, overcast days can produce some of the best hatches of March Browns
- SIZE 14
When and Where to Fish A.K.’s Western March Brown
This
mayfly dun can be fished as either an impressionistic fly pattern when
searching for trout or as a realistic imitation when matching the
hatch. When searching, fish this fly in the well-oxygenated water of
faster riffles, current seams, and even in slower flows adjacent to
higher energy spots. Fish this fly pattern throughout the morning and
afternoon hours and even into the evening hours. These brownish tan
duns are prolific throughout North American trout waters and hatches
are most common during the heart of the spring (March through May),
giving this species its common name. March Brown duns will often ride
along the water’s surface for considerable distances before fluttering
away to streamside vegetation. Look for these classic mayflies as they
ride along the surface of the main drift. March Brown duns will
resemble tiny sailboats in the current, and you’ll often find them
sailing along in faster riffles and current seams. Calmer water
adjacent to these higher energy environments can also be great places
to spot hatched adults, and cool, overcast days will produce the most
prolific hatches of western March Browns.
How to Fish A.K.’s Western March Brown
Mature
nymphs of this species commonly found in early spring on trout water
across North America, so it’s quite common to turn a rock over in the
springtime to find a prolific population of flat-bodied March Brown
nymphs clinging to the safety of the debris around them. If there are a
good number of these nymphs present, look for a solid hatch towards the
late morning and early afternoon hours. When a hatch is on, these early
season mayflies will float for long distances downstream before
flittering off to find mates. Trout will generally follow these
relatively large morsels for good distances before striking, and they
also tend to be extremely selective during a particularly strong hatch
of adults. Be sure to examine how and where trout are rising and aim
your dead drift toward these hot areas. If you find good feeding action
in slower water like eddys below rougher water and longer runs, be sure
to use longer leaders and lighter tippet and use a good stalking method
in order to avoid spooking the target fish.
March Brown
These
olive green or dark brown colored, medium-sized clinging nymphs are
loved throughout North America for their prolific early-season hatches
in fast water. March Browns in the nymph stage are easily identified by
their wide and extremely flat bodies, broad heads, large upward-looking
eyes, and three long tails. These insects follow the common life cycle
of mayflies and thrive in the rocky substrate of well-oxygenated and
rapidly moving aquatic systems. They are prolific in very fast riffles,
current seams, and the lower energy areas below and near these high
energy environments. March Browns emerge to adult duns during the
morning and afternoon hours of the early portion of the season (March
through May). As winged adults these mayflies display characteristic
speckled wings, banded abdomens, low-profile heads, and long twin
tails. The March Brown’s wide distribution and long hatches make this a
favorite offering of fly anglers itching to fish the early season
action after a long winter of fly tying, rod-building, and dreaming of
fly fishing.
March Brown Adult Life Stage
During its
adult life stage, these relatively large mayflies are often found
floating along the water’s surface before quickly retreating to the
safety of streamside vegetation. March Browns hatch throughout the
United States during early spring (March through May) and are
considered one of the best early season hatches on many of North
America’s best fly water. Nymphs and emergers are active throughout the
morning and afternoon, and when a hatch is on, trout can quite
literally have their pick of these protein rich bugs. March Brown duns
are known for their relatively rapid emergence and characteristically
long downstream drifts. These classic mayflies are often likened to a
fleet of tiny sailboats drifting through riffles, runs, and gentle
eddys. Eastern March Brown and Western March Brown adults differ
slightly in color and this difference should be noted when fishing in
either region; Eastern species tend to be more buttery in color while
western species tend to display brownish olive shades.
About the Tyer: A.K. Best
Archie
“A. K.” Best has an apt last name; he certainly is one of the very best
at his craft of fly tying. A. K. has written volumes on the sport of
fly fishing and the art of fly tying and he has personally taught many
aspiring fly tyers the tricks and techniques they need to create
successful flies. His fly patterns are commonly revered in modern fly
tying circles as classics and many of his updated takes on standard
patterns of fly fishing’s rich past have become welcome replacements.
A. K. has appeared in a number of instructional videos and has been a
staple at fly fishing shows and fly tying claves for decades. He has
several patterns in production with Umpqua Feather Merchants under
their licensed designer program and he continues to generously
contribute his humor, wit, and creativity to the world’s fly fishing
and fly tying community.
Leland on Umpqua
In 1972
a man named Dennis Black and his fly tying skills found themselves in
high demand. Mr. Black, then a professional production fly tyer, was
famous in the industry for his unsurpassed skill and speed with
whipping up tremendously beautiful and precisely constructed flies. It
wasn’t long until this young fly tying superstar realized that he ought
to take his consistent approach to quality to the next level. Shortly
after this realization, a small army of fly tyers had banded together
to support Mr. Black’s vision. With the likes of Dave Whitlock, Jack
Dennis, and Andy Puyans, Mr. Black was officially in business.
Dennis
Black’s new company Umpqua Feather Merchants quickly extended its reach
and fly production capabilities with expansion into India, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand, where the world’s first and full blown “fly tying
factories” were built. Since those early days, only the highest
standard of excellence has marked Umpqua and this commitment to quality
and efficiency continues to spur the company forward. Dennis Black’s
innovative vision for “fly production” has truly revolutionized how the
fly industry operates and has ultimately made the majority of
production flies better. From the first “royalty system” for rewarding
the most creative professional fly tyers to streamlining production
systems and offering a range of other products, Umpqua Feather
Merchants just seems to “do it all.”
Today, Umpqua Feather
Merchants is without a doubt the world’s best and most prolific
supplier of hand tied fly fishing flies as well as fly tying hooks and
materials, and they recently got better! Umpqua’s brand new, state of
the art headquarters in Louisville, Colorado marks another paradigm
shift in the way fly tying business is done. From its vast warehouse to
its specially designed inventory management and tracking system, Umpqua
is poised to continue its energetic trajectory and lead the way for the
next generation of flies and fly tyers.
Umpqua on Umpqua
"As
you may or may not know, we're the largest producer of quality
hand-tied flies in the world. We also make available through your local
fly shop a wide array of the finest fly-tying hackle and Tiemco hooks.
At
Umpqua we offer everything the angler needs to a have a first class
fishing experience. (Everything that is, but the water and the fish.)"
Umpqua on Dennis Black and the “Obvious Quest”
“The
idea first took shape in the hands of our founder, Dennis Black, back
in 1972. As a fast and facile professional fly tyer, Dennis was known
for his skill and speed at producing hundreds of dozens of flies each
year for the larger mail order houses. But he was also quick to realize
how fast the demand for excellent flies would outstrip the abilities of
cottage industry types like him.
The Obvious Quest: To create
excellent flies in sufficient supply – without sinking his standards.
In response, Dennis developed (with characteristic care) a methodical
plan: First, he enlisted the tying expertise of the likes of Dave
Whitlock, Jack Dennis, Andy Puyans and others, to help him set the
standard of excellence for Umpqua flies.
Next, Dennis
established the first of what would eventually be five separate
fly-tying “factories,” first in India, then in Sri Lanka, and finally
in Thailand. The primary focus at each of these factories was on
producing the very best fishing flies possible, constructed of the very
best materials available. From the beginning, the quantity of flies
produced was secondary to the quality and excellence of each fly
pattern. These high standards were assured by the personal involvement
of the fly designers themselves, and by the ever-increasing skill,
imagination and creativity of the Umpqua production fly tiers. Today,
you will find no flies more skillfully tied than those available from
Umpqua Feather Merchants.
Finally, Dennis created a system of
royalty payments, to reward professional tyers like Whitlock, Lefty
Kreh, Randall Kaufman, Larry Dahlberg, and Bob Popovics for uniquely
good patterns.
The Result: Today, Umpqua produces umpteen
thousand dozen flies, from micro-scopic midge imitations to the huge
patterns favored by marlin and sailfish. And the "Umpquality" – you’ll
see for yourself.”
