The Metolius is still my favorite off season and can be the most gorgeous place to be in the spring. The riverside plants are getting greener and taller making spots where I used to dump my line on the ground a snag filled mess. Different bugs are starting to show up as the river comes to life. I saw a few october caddis and plenty of smaller caddis fluttering around. BWO’s are still predominate around midday, along with a few larger mayflies mixing in with the warm weather. 

The rainbows are definitely starting to spawn, WATCH OUT FOR REDDS, so eggs will play along with smaller caddis pupa, mayfly emergers and bigger golden stones or Tober’ pupas. Indicators allow anglers to fish farther and mend over different seams, working water that maybe has been overlooked by others. Euro to hero is always an option and when done right will usually put a bobber lobber to shame. Fish deep and heavy and move around, there is so much water to spread out on and there is no reason to be fishing on top of each other in the obvious buckets. Fish pockets, logs, small drops and don’t be afraid to hike for it.

Suggested Dries: Purple Haze #18-22, Thorax BWO #18-22, Hackle Stacker #18-22, Olive Haze #18-20, Tilt Wing Dun Mahogany Dun #16, Chubby Chernobyl #16.

Suggested Nymphs: Lex’s Improved Golden Stone #8-10, Davies Neo Twenty Incher #10-12, Panty Dropper Jig #14-16, Jigged Prince #14-16, Twisted May black or olive #14-16, Rainbow Warrior pearl, red or black #16-20, Micro May olive #16-20, Lightning Bug black or red #16-20, Tung. October Caddis #10-12, Nitro Caddis Pupa #16-18, Electric Rock Worm #16-20