Top Nymph Patterns That Work in Aussie Waters

By Mike Tenner – Fly Fishing Guide with Over 50 Years’ Experience

If you’re serious about catching trout in Australian rivers and lakes, nymphs should be a permanent part of your fly box. Unlike flashy dries or aggressive streamers, nymphs imitate the immature aquatic insects that trout feed on most of the time — often up to 80% of their diet.

In this article, we’ll cover the top-performing nymph patterns for Australian waters, when to use them, and how to fish them for the best results.

🪰 Why Nymphs Work So Well in Australia

Trout in Australian rivers and lakes are opportunistic feeders. They’re constantly scanning for easy protein in the form of mayfly, caddis, stonefly, and midge nymphs — all of which thrive in our freshwater systems.

Whether you're fishing the alpine waters of Tasmania, the Snowy Mountains in NSW, or the freestone rivers of Victoria, nymphs consistently produce results — even when surface activity is low.

🎯 When Should You Use Nymphs?

Use nymphs when:

• There's no obvious surface activity

• You’re fishing deep runs, riffles, or pools

• During colder months when insects are less likely to hatch

• You're targeting larger or more educated trout

A nymph fished well can outfish any other pattern — especially when the trout are feeding subsurface, which they usually are.

✅ Top Nymph Patterns for Aussie Waters

Here are the go-to nymphs that have proven effective across a range of Aussie fly fishing environments:

1. Pheasant Tail Nymph (PTN)

Best For: Mayfly hatches, general all-rounder
Why It Works: Imitates a range of aquatic insects with natural tones and slim profile.
Pro Tip: Try a bead-head PTN in fast water to get it down quickly.

2. Hare’s Ear Nymph

Best For: Stained water, overcast days
Why It Works: The buggy, scruffy appearance triggers aggressive takes.
Variants: Add a flashback for extra visibility.

3. Copper John

Best For: Deep pools, fast water
Why It Works: Its heavy bead and wire body get it down fast to where fish are holding.
Colour Tip: Red and green work particularly well in Victorian rivers.

4. Caddis Pupa

Best For: Lakes, tailwaters, summer evenings
Why It Works: Caddis are extremely common in Aussie streams. A pupa imitates the stage just before emergence.
Fish It: Drift near the bottom or swing it at the end of a drift.

5. Flashback Nymphs

Best For: Low-light conditions or stained water
Why It Works: The bit of flash mimics gas bubbles that insects use to rise during a hatch — a key trigger.
Go-To: Flashback Hare’s Ear and Flashback PTN.

6. Zebra Midge

Best For: Winter fishing, stillwaters
Why It Works: Midges hatch all year. This simple fly is deadly when trout are sipping small stuff.
Colours: Black with silver ribbing is a classic.

7. Squirmy Wormy

Best For: Dirty water, stocked trout
Why It Works: It’s controversial, but it catches fish. Imitates aquatic worms and bloodworms.
Note: Great for beginners and tough days.

🎣 How to Fish Nymphs in Australia

Best Techniques:

• Indicator nymphing – Great for beginners. Use a strike indicator to detect subtle takes.

• Euro nymphing – Deadly in fast water. Tight-line nymphing gets you deep, fast.

• Dry-dropper rig – Ideal when there’s some surface action but trout are feeding below.

Presentation Tip: Get your fly down to the fish’s level. Add split shot or use tungsten bead-heads when needed.

🧳 Stock Up Smart with TroutFlies Australia

At TroutFlies Australia, we hand-tie nymphs based on real Aussie hatches, using premium materials that catch more fish and hold up longer. We also offer seasonal nymph packs and custom orders tailored to your local waters.

📌 Final Thoughts

You don’t always need the flashiest fly in the box. More often than not, it’s the humble nymph that lands the biggest fish.

Keep a selection of the above patterns in your fly box year-round, and remember — if you’re not catching fish, you might just not be deep enough.

—

🛍️ Shop Our Most Popular Nymphs

Browse now at www.troutflies.com.au

📥 Sign up for our free "Local Hatch Alerts" to know what nymphs are working near you.