Fish out on the Metolius are sure to be feeling antsy, they’ve gotten a taste of spring and they want more. Now that winter has returned you can expect less caddis activity. Blue wing olives will still be around, especially on cloudy days. You may want to size your BWO’s down during the colder days. Usually temperatures below 25 degrees will bring out more size 18 - 22 BWOs than size 16s. The nymphing activity should steadily increase as we move into late winter. Mayfly nymphs will start to be more active as their time to hatch approaches. Jigged euro style flies do an excellent job of imitating a mayfly nymph crawling around on the bottom. Copper johns, hare’s ears, and pheasant tails all do an excellent job of imitating the plethora of insects found in the Metolius. Stoneflies are always a good searching pattern for the Metolius. It’s bound to be an excellent couple of weeks to find some fish on the Metolius. 

Suggested Dries: Purple Haze #14-18, Hackle Stacker Baetis #18-20, Parachute Baetis #16-20.

Suggested Nymphs: Lex’s Improved Golden Stone #8-10, Poxyback Golden Stone #8-10, Green Drake Nymph #12-14, Deep October Caddis Pupa #10-12, Red or Black Copper John #14-18, Red or Black Lightning Bug #14-18, Red or Black Two Bit Hooker #16-20, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-18, Slim Shady Olive #18-20, FB Pheasant Tail #14-18, Micro Mayfly #16-20, Pearl or Red Rainbow Warrior #16-20, Copper Microstone #14-18