Published Apr 21. 2006 - 17 years ago
Updated or edited Dec 15. 2015

Malbran

Malbran is the fly that catches everything. Created by Ramiro Garcia Malbràn and tied with simple and cheap materials it's the ideal fly for fierce predators like dorado, pike and bass.

Dorado - A hefty dorado caught ona large Malbran
Malbran - a fly for true predators
Ramiro Garcia Malbràn

I tied the first version of this fly in 1994 to use it in the Parana River, searching for Dorados, Cachorras,Trairas, Piranhas and other predators of these waters.

I made it to imitate a mojarra - a typical bait fish of South America. It has a flat and high profile and all predators here love it, but it has also given me great results in the Baltic with pike and perch and in the Caribbean with snook and baby tarpon.

My friends call the fly Malbran. My name is Garcia Malbràn - with an accent over the last a.

Some of the important aspects of this fly (in my opinion) are the relative rigid body giving vibrations and turbulence combined with a mobile tail.

Depending the waters I adapt length and stiffness of the tail. For rapid waters I use a short and stiffer tail, for slow waters and lakes I use a longer and softer tail.
I change the form of the body too, according to the the baitfish present in the river.
If I need less flashy flies I tie the back with another material like Fish Fuzz, EP fibres, synthetic hair or bucktail.

Pike -
French chub - Chub in Creuse River, France
Pacu - A large pacu caught on a Malbran
Sea bass - Caught in France on a Malbran
Malbran fish
Ramiro Malbran - Ramiro Garcia Malbràn

Materials

I tie this fly with Christmas decorations.
For the tail I use Flashabou or similar (more movement).

Christmas ornaments

Organza and flash

Organza fibers

Picking fibers

Preparing the fibers

The fibers are twisted (with my fingers) to reflect ligth in all directions.

Preparation 1

Preparation 2

Preparation 3

Preparation 4

Building the body

The fibers are added a small bunch at the time, stacked on top and on the bottom of the hook shank and finally trimmed to get a sharply defined body shape.

Original Malbran - step-by-step

The first is the original Malbran all made with silver Christmas decorations for the body and more soft and mobile fibers for the tail (Flashabou or similar).

Building a body 1

Building a body 2

Building a body 3

Building a body 4

Building a body 5

Building a body 6

Building a body 7

Building a body 8

Building a body 9

Green Malbran - step-by-step

The second recipe is a Malbran made in two colors. I use green for the back. These fibers are more soft that the silver decorations because of that i put some stiff silver fibers mixed with them to make a stiffer body.

Green Malbran, step 1

Green Malbran, step 2

Green Malbran, step 3

Green Malbran, step 4

Green Malbran, step 5

Green Malbran, step 6

Green Malbran, step 7

Green Malbran, step 8

Green Malbran, step 9

Green Malbran, step 10

Green Malbran, step 11

Golden/black Malbran - All flash with a bit of pink and red synthetic hair
Blue Malbran - Fine blue flash on top, silver on the belly
Black and copper Malbran - A nice mix to get a brownish looking baitfish imitation
Black and silver Malbran - Simply black flash on top and silver on the bottom will give a very fish like fly
Malbran - The fly made from Christmas decorations
Variations
Ramiro Garcia Malbràn
Dorado - A hefty dorado caught ona large Malbran
Baby tarpon -
Dorado - These South American predators also like the Malbran
Fish 1 -
Malbran fish
Ramiro Garcia Malbràn

Comments

Hello Ramiro, sor...

Hello Ramiro,

sorry to answer so late. but my job kept me busy. Well the big Streamers work well with all kind of XMas Lametta on hook and tube, the trout Version is too much time consuming, so I use the the fluff ones or the hard body of epoxy with a tinsel tail. The small ones on a hook and not on tube. If I am lucky I will have a Project in Mauritius - if so your streamers will be with me
thight lines
Pit

I have fished with R...

I have fished with Ramiro and his fly is a real killer. I was skeptic at first because we all think fish do not like so much shine and glitter, but he proved me wrong. I am looking forward to our next fishing together!

Hello Pit I neve...

Hello Pit

I never tie them in tubes, it's a great idea!!! Let me know the result !!
If you ever need more info about the fly or materials don't hesitate to write me.
Best regards
Ramiro

I made one on a larg...

I made one on a large Hook and tested it in the waterbassin. It jigs wonderfully and it sparkles like a discobowle. A real great idea. I used XMas lametta for the body and tinsel for the tail. I started to make this fly on tubes now. Even for troutsizes.
tight lines
Pit

Thanks Tom !!!here i...

Thanks Tom !!!here in France is snowing too !!good wheather for tying flies!!!
If you ever need some tips or some materials don't hesitate to contact me. I have plenty at home from the last Christmas.... I can send you some by the post.
Will be great to try the malbran with Holland pikes!!!
Best regards
Ramiro

Fishing with this fl...

Fishing with this fly is the same to tie a christmas tree in the leader......

Tom Biesot's picture

Great flies Ramiro, ...

Great flies Ramiro, they look very good with all that glitter and shine.
When I see the pictures of all the different species , I think that those flies are pretty good !
For sure I am going to tie some, maybe this afternoon, because at the moment of writing this, it is snowing outside my door here in Holland and the world is totally white !

Best regards,

Tom.

Tom Biesot

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