Borcher Special

The Borchers Special was created in the 1950s by Ernie Borcher, a respected guide and fly tier from Grayling, Michigan. Originally tied to imitate the dark-bodied mayflies common on the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers, it quickly earned a reputation as one of the most versatile patterns in northern Michigan. The coloration allows it to represent a wide range of mayfly species, especially in tannin-stained waters. Many seasoned anglers still consider it one of the few patterns you can stock in multiple sizes to cover nearly every dark mayfly hatch throughout the season.

Carry it in a range of sizes from 12 to 18 to imitate various dark-bodied mayflies throughout the hatch cycle.