The Green Drake action on the Metolius is pretty much over with, and fish are starting to key in on other Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddis. We’ve seen good numbers of PMDs, and Golden Stones are starting to appear in greater numbers. While the Goldens are not out in full force just yet having a few different imitations along is a good idea. I like fishing patterns on the small side of things during these early stages of the hatch, and having a Clark’s Stone, Norm Woods, Chubby, or stimulator pattern in size 10 or so should bring fish to the surface. There is always the option of fishing a second dry behind the Stonefly, which can make it easy to keep an eye on small PMD or BWO patterns that aren’t so easy for us to see as anglers. Fishing dries throughout the day should find fish, but if they don’t seem to be looking up going subsurface is always the safe bet. Golden Stones should be very productive subsurface, and trailing a Micro Mayfly or Pheasant tail should find decent numbers.
Suggested Dries: Demoe’s Mill Creek Golden #8-10, Clark’s Stone Golden#8-10, Golden Chubby Chernobyl #8-12, Parachute PMD #16-18, Tilt Wing PMD #16-18, Purple Comparadun #16-18, Purple Haze #14-18, Parachute Adams #14-18, BWO Sparkle Dun #16-20
Suggested Nymphs: Lex’s Improved Golden Stone #10-12, BH Epoxy Golden Stone #10-12, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #14-18, Brown or Olive Micro Mayfly #16-20, Red Two Bit Hooker #16-20, Black Lightning Bug #16-20, Black Rainbow Warrior #16-20, Olive or Tan Sparkle Pupa #16-18