The brown nymph has been tied in many variations for many years, primarily to represent the mayfly nymph, but given that roughly 90% of a trout’s diet is benthic (bottom) fare, this nymph could represent anything.

It is a particularly good early season nymph to fish deep when streams are carrying a lot of water. Fished in tandem with a smaller, lighter nymph, it is a deadly combination. As the season progresses, try the same nymph tied in smaller sizes.

The most effective method that I have found is to fish it into the fast water at the head of a pool, then raise the rod high and fish it through the faster water until it comes downstream adjacent to you. Then slowly lower the rod to allow the fly to swing in the current.

When water levels are lower and clearer, this is a great pattern to fish under an indicator dry fly such as a Royal Wulff. It is particularly effective in the smaller alpine waters that meander through the tussock country.

On the lakes and tarns of the high country, I have found it really good when cast to tailing fish with a leader greased to about 6” from the fly; let the fish come to it and pick it off.