Now is a great time of year to be fishing the Metolius, and there is increasing opportunity to fish dry flies as we move towards summer. The big story this time of year is the Green Drakes. The strength of the hatch varies day to day, with overcast or drizzly days typically producing the best opportunity to find fish entirely keyed in on the big mayflies. In addition to the Green Drakes, there are plenty of Caddis and smaller mayflies around, and fish have been keying in on both depending on the day. While we love to target the fish in the Met on dries when we can, it is still a good idea to have a rod rigged with a nymph set up. Nymphing will produce fish most consistently, and when the fish aren’t looking up its important to get flies down close to the bottom and into their feeding zone. A variety of Stonefly, Caddis, and Mayfly nymphs have been producing, favorites being Golden Stones and Caddis Pupas.
Suggested Dries: Para Green Drake #12, Carnage Drake #12, PMD Sparkle Dun #16-20, Tiltwing PMD #16-20, Parachute PMD #16-20, Elk Hair Caddis #16-18, Parachute Adams #16-20, Purple Haze #16-20
Suggested Nymphs: Golden Stone #8-12, Brown Jimmy Legs #8-12, Olive Sparkle Pupa #16-18, Red Two Bit Hooker #16-20, Copper Microstone #14-18, Olive Micro May #18-20