The Metolius has been fishing well this week, with good reports of a nice afternoon mayfly mix of BWO’s and Cinygmula’s (pronounced Sign-ig-Mewla). Fish are looking up and taking dries and emergers most days. We’ve also taken some fish on dry caddis like Iris, Corn Fed, X and even Elk Hair’s. If you’re below Bridge 99 next week with the warm weather coming back, tuck a few March Browns in your box too. Hasn’t happened yet, but it is imminent. Such a pretty hatch of Mayflies too.
The best fishing is definitely on nymphs, with Perdigons, Eggs, Caddis Pupa, Golden Stones and Brown Mayfly Nymphs working really well. Add some Red Copper Johns, Rainbow Warriors, Frenchie’s and Soft Hackle PT’s and Hares Ears.
Bull Trout are being caught on both nymphs and streamers and have been abundant below the Hatchery and down towards Candle Creek.
Remember that the river is closed from the Spring/Headwaters to Allingham Bridge and does not open until May 22 in that critical spawning area. We saw some folks fishing upstream of the Camp Sherman Bridge over the weekend and PLEASE don’t do that. Walking over redd’s is not cool at all. Know the river, know the regulations.