Rithrogena germanica - March Brown
For centuries the March brown dun has figured prominently in angling
writing, but it is rarely if ever seen on the majority of rivers and streams
and does not appear on stillwaters.
The dun
This is a fly of the fast-flowing northern and western rivers with stony
beds. In late March and early April the main hatches occur, often with duns
coming off in waves spread over two or three hours. It is unusual for one of
these bursts of activity to last much more than fifteen minutes.
The nymph is a stone clinger and not readily available to trout except
during a hatch. March brown nymphs prefer the fast-flowing runs and glides,
unlike the agile-darters which are usually found in greatest concentration
near the margins or in weed beds. In deeper water trout seem to take mainly
the nymphs as they ascend and struggle through the surface film, whereas in
shallow stretches they are often seen rising to the floating dun. A size 12
Gold-ribbed Hare's Ear nymph, fished just below the surface, is usually an
effective imitation when march browns are hatching.
The spinner
It is not common to see large quantities of March Brown
spinners during the day, but a Pheasant Tail Spinner is a useful pattern
when you do.
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