Nymph · #164 of 532

Brooks' Stone

Also known as: Brooks Stone

Imitates: Large stonefly nymph

Best Sizes: #4-10
Best Season: Spring runoff through summer
Best Conditions: Fast rocky rivers, pocket water, deep runs, big western freestones
Water Temp: 44-60°F
Recommended Tippet: 3X-4X

How to Rig It

Heavy anchor fly under an indicator or in a tight-line setup with a smaller trailer.

Get it on the bottom and keep it there. High-stick, short-line, or nymph it under a big indicator.

Stonefly nymphs are large, meaty, and abundant in rocky rivers. The Brooks' Stone is a classic buggy profile that trout recognize immediately.

Created by Charlie Brooks, one of the great Montana river anglers, this fly helped define modern Western stonefly nymph fishing.

Use it as your anchor fly in fast water. If you are not occasionally ticking rocks, you are not deep enough.

When should I fish a Brooks' Stone?+

Any time stoneflies are present, but especially in spring runoff and early summer when big nymphs are active.

Try the Fly Advisor

Get a fly recommendation based on live water temp, flow, sky, and time of day for any river in the US.