 METOLIUS
RIVER OREGON: One of Central Oregon’s most famous
fly fishing streams, the Metolius is a river every angler
should experience. Located where Central Oregon meets
the Cascades, the Metolius emerges crystal clear and cold
from springs at the base of Black Butte. This beautiful
river flows through picturesque stands of Ponderosa pine
and Western Red cedar, some of which are enormous old
growth specimens. You have to see the Metolius to believe
the azure blue color of the water, especially against
a backdrop of fall foliage. And then there’s the fly fishing.
The Metolius River is unique in many ways, but it is
especially unique in that it supports healthy populations
of two native trout species. The Metolius is one of
the last remaining habitats for the threatened Bull
trout, which grow large (up to 20 pounds) in this pristine
watershed. In fact, recent population surveys indicate
that the Bull trout population is increasing in the
Metolius, a testament to the excellent water quality
and habitat that characterize this river. Fishing for
Bull trout is generally best in late fall, winter, and
early spring when the fish feed aggressively on whatever
they can fit in their mouths. Bull trout will eat anything
from the largest streamer patterns to small nymphs,
but subsurface flies are generally the key. Bring a
stout rod and big fish skills if you hope to land one
of these brutes!
The Metolius also supports a healthy population of
native redband rainbow trout, some of which are enormous.
These fish are beauties—bright pink/red stripes and
large spots—and strong. Although not as plentiful as
in other streams in Central Oregon there are enough
nice rainbows here to draw anglers from all over the
Pacific Northwest. Catching them is another matter entirely.
Keys to success here include a careful approach, long
leaders, good presentation, and a six days dead drift.
And we mean dead. Fish can be caught year round on the
standard nymph patterns and anglers occasionally find
themselves in excellent hatches of blue-winged olives,
caddis, green drakes, and March browns.
For more information about fly fishing on the Metolius
River, please contact
Fly and Field Outfitters.
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