A zonker interpretation of the classic March Brown. This fly should do well for both sea run browns, and stream base brownies and bass.
Martin Joergensen
Cold saltwater fly
Easy
- Start the thread in the rear of the hook shank.
- Tie in the rib. If using tying thread, double or quadruple the thread.
- Dub the body with hare's wool, leaving a bit of space for hackle and head.
- Cut a zonker strip, the skin being about 1½ shank lengths.
- Cut the front end of the skin to a triangle shape for easier tie-in.
- Tie it in in front of the body, leaving space for hackle and head.
- Pull to the rear, separate hairs and secure it with the rib.
- Wrap the rib forwards in 4-5 open turns, each time separating the hairs on the strip and securing it to the body.
- Tie down the rib and trim surplus.
- Select a hackle, barb length about ½ shank length.
- Tie in tip first, curved side forward.
- Wrap the hackle, stroking back the fibers to create a classic wet fly hackle.
- Tie down the hackle and cut off the stem as close to the fly as possible.
- Form a head, whip finish and varnish.
sea trout (sea run)
smallmouth bass
| Hook | Down eye wet fly or streamer hook, like the Ahrex NS115, #4 |
| Thread | Black, 8/0 |
| Rib | Yellow floss or tying thread |
| Body | Hare's wool dubbing |
| Wing | Narrow rabbit zonker strip, "hare" colored |
| Hackle | Whiting Brahma hen, warm gray or dyed March Brown |
| Head | Tying thread |
