THE MARCH BROWN 133 



wet, and at all times of the season. Why this 

 should be so I cannot say. In one river on which 

 I formerly fished, the only fly which fish could be 

 induced to take was a large March brown. After 

 days of fruitless efforts, I was advised by an old 

 hand on the river to try a pattern of fly he gave 

 me, which proved to be a large March brown. I 

 followed his advice, and with very considerable 

 success ; the fish were large and fairly plentiful. 

 I had previously tried them with every fly in my 

 book, save this one. Now, why they should have 

 manifested such a decided preference for this one 

 particular fly to the exclusion of any others, I 

 fail to understand. I most certainly never saw 

 any fly at all resembling a March brown on that 

 river at any time of the season. 



For either river or lake fishing this fly is equally 

 useful. I have never seen a salmon-fly of this 

 description that I can remember, but I dare say 

 such a pattern would be found equally efficacious 

 for salmon as for trout. It is a very sporting, 

 ' varmint '-looking fly, and I see no reason why, 

 if trout and sea-trout take it, as both do, their 

 grander relations should consider it beneath their 

 notice. 



This fly casts its skin, and becomes the ' great 

 red spinner,' which in some districts is known 

 as the 'light mackerel.' It is a good evening 

 fly, and bears a high reputation amongst anglers. 



