It has been a great Winter on the Metolius and there is no reason to think the fishing will slow down anytime soon. The latest we’ve heard on access is that the road below the hatchery is still a no-go, but that could change at any time now. Nymphing has been very consistent and we are finding fish on large Stonefly/October Caddis Patterns as well as little Mayflies. Look for BWO activity to increase with warmer temperatures in the forecast. The hatch may be short-lived, expect to see it at its strongest on cloudy afternoons. Other hatches will be sporadic but there is a possibility that little Winter Stones will come out in the mid-day in the sun. Fish have been eating a lot of little bugs for a while, and a size 14-16 black Stonefly is a pretty substantial meal for trout at this point in the season. Bull Trout are being caught on nymphs and streamers.
Suggested Dries: Sparkle Dun BWO #16-20, Parachute BWO #16-20, Purple Haze #16-20, Hackle Stacker #18-20, Olive Haze #16-18, Parachute Adams #18-20, Tilt Wing Mahogany #16-18, Peacock Caddis #14-16, Black Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
Suggested Nymphs: Lex’s Improved Golden Stone #8-12, Trout Retriever #8-20, Deep October Pupa #8-10, Red or Black Two Bit Hooker #16-18, Black Super Sinker #16-18, Olive Micro Mayfly #16-20, Olive Tailwater Tiny #18-20, Olive Soft Hackle #16-20, Soft Hackle PT #16-20, Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear #14-18, Jigged CDC PT #14-16, Jigged Hare’s Ear #14-16