The Metolius has been behaving as the Metolius tends to, and there are beautiful fish to be caught for those willing to put in a little time. Warm weather has continued to bring out more and more bugs, and there are various caddis and mayfly hatches occurring sporadically from day to day. Nymphing is the most consistent way to get into fish, typically a two fly rig with a large stonefly followed by a smaller mayfly or caddis pattern will provide the best chance for success. Concentrate efforts on deeper runs, fish can be found in slow tailouts, deep slots, and riffles. Make sure to use appropriately weighted flies or splitshot to get the flies down near the bottom. Have a few parachute adams or small elk hair caddis on hand, and cast to the occasional rising fish if you’d like to throw dries. Surface action can be sporadic and intermittent, but there are a few opportunistic fish looking up. Large olive, tan, and white streamers are the way to target bull trout, heavy sink tips are key to getting the flies deep enough. As we near June we can start to think about more consistent dry fly action on the Metolius. The Green Drake hatch is something we always look forward to, and typically begins early June!
Suggested Nymphs: Red or Black Two Bit Hooker #16-20, Olive or Brown Micro May #16-20, Olive or Tan Sparkle Pupa #14-18, Nitro Caddis Pupa #14-18, CDC Pheasant Tail #14-18, Hare’s Ear #14-18, Golden Stone #6-10, Brown Jimmy Legs #8-12, October Caddis Pupa #8-10
Suggested Dries: Parachute Adams #16-20, Purple Haze #16-20, PMD or BWO Sparkle Dun #16-20, Tan Elk Hair Caddis #14-18