Michigan Flies

Flies / Nymph

Early Brown Stonefly Nymph

A

Michigan charts list the Early Brown Stonefly #10 to #14 from March 15 to May 10, 1 to 7 pm, following the black stones as the trout opener approaches. Dead-drift a brown stone nymph along the edges of riffles in April on the Au Sable and Manistee before the Hendricksons start.

#10–14BrownBrown-oliveafternoon
What the pattern looks like
Reference photos of the Early Brown Stonefly Nymph tied by others, shared by their photographers. Not our flies; our own product photos replace these as they are shot.

Photo © Quinn for Fly Deal Flies, used with permission · Brown Stonefly - Bead Nymph

Season
Months this pattern is in play across Michigan, derived from what it imitates.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
Imitates

The naturals

Fish it for
Brown troutRainbow trout (resident)Brook troutSteelhead

Setups

  • Indicator nymphing
  • Euro / tight-line nymphing

Sources