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March Brown (Maccaffertium vicarium mayfly hatch)Maccaffertium vicarium mayfly hatch is commonly referred to as March Brown and its smaller relative the Gray Fox. Actually, the Gray Fox (Stenonema fuscum) used to be considered a different species than Stenonema vicarium, but in 1979 the entomoligists combined the smaller Stenonema fuscum with Stenonema vicarium. Then later on they changed the Genus from Stenonema to Maccaffertium. Many books (like Hatches) reference Stenonema vicarium which is now called Maccaffertium vicarium. This is one of the great hatches found on many Wisconsin freestone streams and rivers. Look among the rocks in the riffles and faster runs for the flat, clinging nymphs. The hatch generally occurs near the end of May through mid-June depending what stream you are on. Northwest Wisconsin generally sees the March Brown (Maccaffertium vicarium) mayfly hatch in early to mid-June. The nymphs are known to migrate towards the shallows just prior to hatching. The duns are usually hatching sporatically all day along with the more dense hatching Emphemerella invaria (Sulphurs), making the the larger Maccaffertium vicarium duns less vulnerable to the trout. In the cool June evenings the concentrated March Brown spinners may give you the best chance of finding some larger feeding trout. Fly fisherman should carry a selection of fly imitations to match the March Brown duns, nymphs and spinner patterns throughout late Spring. The nymphs are clingers and at emergence time may migrate to the shallows and the trout may follow. At theses times I have spooked my share of larger trout in the shallow riffled waters probably looking for the large clinging nymphs. Look under submerged rocks for the flat clinging nymphs. Large spinner patterns in the evening may give you a great chance at larger feeding trout. See photos below:
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