Caddisflies can be fished below or above the surface and there are plenty of imitations available. These flies work well for a variety of trout and brown trout will eat these flies too. Drift them slowly in the current and you should be able to catch some trout.
Egg flies are a popular way to target trout in streams and rivers when the spawn is happening. They work well for brown trout too. Drift them in the current during the spawn and you can expect to catch some brown trout on these flies.
Single egg patterns are one of the more effective ways to fish the rivers and streams for trout when the spawn is going on. It is no different for brown trout. Drift a single egg pattern in the current and you can expect to catch some brown trout.
Hellgrammite Flies can be very effective for many species of trout and cutthroat trout can be fooled with a hellgrammite imitation too. Work these flies in the current and you should be able to find some feeding brown trout.
Mayflies hatch is such big numbers on most bodies of water and when this happens, it can create a feeding frenzy for trout and other species of fish. As these mayflies swim towards the surface, trout can be found feeding on them throughout the water column. Mayflies will also be found all over the surface, so a good dry fly imitation can be very productive too. Brown trout feed on mayflies too and they can be caught with a variety of mayfly imitations that may be fished below or on the surface.
Midges are readily available throughout the seasons and they are excellent flies for targeting a variety of different trout species. Whether midges are in the nymph, larvae or adult stage, you can find a fly to imitate them and you should be able to catch some brown trout with them. Most anglers report midges as being good flies for solid numbers of brown trout, but not as great for targeting big brown trout.
Fishing with nymphs works well for brown trout. Many of the better brown trout will do most of their feeding below the surface and a nymph is a good way to target them. There are so many different types of nymphs available that do a good job of matching the variety of underwater nymphs that may be in a stream or river. Drift them in the current and fish them in pools and you should be able to catch plenty of brown trout.
Stoneflies are great flies for targeting a variety of different trout species. Whether you use them as nymphs or dry flies, they both work. Anglers use stoneflies to target brown trout. Depending on the time of year you may have to fish below or on the surface, but these flies will definitely help you catch some fish. Many of the better browns will come below the surface, so many anglers choose to go with nymph versions for more numbers and better quality fish.
Streamers have their time and place for most trout and it is no different for brown trout. Because bigger brown trout are known for eating fish more than flies, streamers can be a great way to target a bigger fish. On some rivers, there are shad kills and by fishing with a streamer that imitates a shad, you can experience some of the best fishing of the year.
Some anglers will cast streamers upstream and let them drift down in the current and this can be effective, but you will usually get more strikes with the streamer by mimicking a bait fleeing the scene or a wounded bait fish. A strip followed by a pause will usually draw more strikes than just drifting it downstream and you can do well by fishing across the current as well. Mix up your retrieves until you find the better technique for that particular day. Use streamers to imitate some of fish that they eat in their river and you may end up catching the biggest brown trout of your life on a streamer.
Woolly Buggers work great for so many different species of trout. You can use them for brown trout too. Drift them in the current or use a strip, strip, pause technique to draw strikes. Some anglers report woolly buggers as being one of the better big fish flies for targeting brown trout at nightr.