We're quickly approaching my favorite time of year on the Metolius. Early winter brings great blue wing olive hatches, consistent nymphing, and lots of fun bull trout encounters. This week’s forecast looks warmer to start out and then it gets back to being cool. With warmer conditions, there will likely be good numbers of October caddis. Blue wing olives will likely hatch sometime around noon, if you’re below the hatchery, look for risers in eddies. Sometimes nymphing feels easier in the winter because the redbands are more opportunistic rather than keying into a very specific nymph. Definitely have a variety of stonefly patterns, big, small, dark, golden, they’re all in the river. BWO nymphs are an excellent idea as are October caddis pupa. Green drake nymphs can also get some attention. Bull trout fishing has been good, this time of year some of them will hide around structure in skinny water waiting to ambush the next vulnerable fish they see. Friendly reminder that fishing is now closed above Allingham bridge. 

Suggested Dries: X-Stimulator #8-12, Black, Tan or Olive Elk Hair Caddis #14-20, Black, Tan or Olive Foam Caddis #14-20, 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