Conditions are great out on the Metolius. The warmer weather has started to get the bugs hatching and the fish moving. Blue wing olives and small yellow mayflies are the most common mayfly hatches right now. On warmer days, expect more yellow mayflies and on cooler days expect more BWOs. Pale morning dun patterns are a good imitation of the yellow mayflies. A variety of different caddis species have been hatching as well. The larger October caddis are still around, as well as brown caddis, tan caddis and grey caddis. Dry fly imitations of caddis can be productive, but trout will also key in on the pupa. Nymphing with pupa, golden stones and green drake nymphs will be productive out there. With green drakes right around the corner, the nymphs should be getting active and crawling around on the river bottom. Bull trout fishing has been on and off. Sometimes those fish just don’t want to move for a streamer or a nymph. Moving around the river and finding fish that haven’t seen many flies can be the ticket to get the grab you’re looking for. Once more, remember that the river is closed to fishing above Allingham Bridge until May 22. Now is a beautiful time to get out on the Metolius. The plants will start to have some buds and the trout will be looking for some post-winter snacks.
Suggested Dries: Hackle Stacker BWO #18-20, Sparkle Dun BWO #18-20, Purple Haze #16-20, Tilt Wing BWO #18-20, Olive Haze #16-18, Parachute BWO #18-20, Tilt Wing Mahogany #16-18, Tilt Wing PMD #16-18, Black or Tan Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, Parachute Adams #16-20
Suggested Nymphs: Lex’s Improved Golden Stone #8-10, Poxyback Golden Stone #8-10, Golden Trout Retriever #8-10, Brown Jimmy Legs #8-12, Deep October Pupa #8-10, Jigged Tungsten Hare’s Ear #14-16, Jigged CDC PT #14-16, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-18, Black Super Sinker #16-18, Copper Microstone #14-18, Red Copper John #16-18, Olive Anato-May #16-18, Olive Micro May #18-20, Black Lightning Bug #14-18, Olive or Tan Sparkle Pupa #16-18, Nitro Caddis Pupa #16-18