The Metolius is seeing good afternoon hatches of #20 BWO. (Maybe even some #22’s). Later in the afternoon there are a fair number of Silver Stripe Sedges and October Caddis along with some other various mixed caddis and smaller stoneflies. Most of the Caddis and Stones will be better matched with a nymph or pupa imitation than trying to fish dry, but an orange stimulator or elk hair caddis can get crushed if your willing to put in the time and prospect the water. Winter fishing is always productive on the Metolius with Stonefly nymphs (especially golden), eggs, zebra midges, small mayfly nymphs and caddis pupa patterns. For Euro Nymphers most of the perdigon and jig flies we use look like mayfly and caddis in one way or another, and these flies simply fish deeper because of how they are tied.

Bull Trout fishing with streamers continues to be very good. I say it that way because a lot of times by mid winter the fish get really “nymphy” and we get as many, or more on small red nymphs than on streamers. But the streamer action remains good.

We are getting a lot of calls about snow in the basin. It is minimal and access to all the roads including Bridge 99 is not a problem at this time. We understand the concern as so many years there isn’t much of a chance to drive past Wizard Falls in the winter. So far all the snow is just up in the mountains about 4500 feet and higher. The Metolius Basin is 2963 feet at Camp Sherman (a bit lower than here in Sisters and a lot lower than Bend).
One last warning for excited drivers going to the river.

Road 14 gets icy! Several roll over accidents occurred on the road between the highway and the spilt to the headwaters lately. Especially that last corner before the split takes people by surprise as the road may have been fine and suddenly it is not.