Metolius River Fish Report for 4-30-2023
Even the Metolius is running a little high
Metolius River - Metolius Springs, OR (Jefferson County)
by The Fly Fishers Place
4-30-2023
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Even the Metolius is running a little high, but no worries as it remains very fishable. The creeks that come from the mountains are running high with snow melt so the river takes on that and absorbs it pretty well. Nothing seems off color, just a little more flow and pushy for wading.
Increase your weight on the nymphs or streamers and look for rising trout in the soft eddies and pools, which is not too different than the advice I’d give on any report, or if I saw you in the shop or at a club presentation,. Metolius trout like soft water.
We are seeing the 1st PMD’s of the season now! Size 16, 3 tail yellow mayflies. These will be with us until late October on a consistent and daily hatch. Right now expect to see the main hatch of Pale Morning Duns mid afternoon, but keep an eye open for them in the evening on hot days. PMD’s turn into Rusty Spinners so make sure to add the Sunset Spinner or CDC Biot Body Spinner to your collection if you plan to fish into the evening.
There are still a decent number of BWO’s, but that is being overshadowed by the PMD hatches and in fairness this is the time of year BWO’s tend to wane a bit. They never go away, but become less important in May and June and then become a major (if not surprising) food source in July again. Would I still carry BWO’s? Yes, absolutely. In fact my main mayfly fly box is a double sided Umpqua Dry Fly Box and one side is Yellow mayflies (PMD, Pale Evening Dun & Cinygmulas + a row of Mahogany Duns) and the other side is Olive and Purple Mayfly patterns with all shades of olive represented and all stages of the emergence from cripples to duns and spinners too. PS- I like flies.
Caddis hatches are excellent, and while you may not see fish active on adults, I am confident they are eating the heck out of pupa and that at times you can get fish to eat an Iris Caddis, CDC Caddis, Parachute Caddis and Corn Fed Caddis on the surface.
Most of the caddis now are grey #12-14, Tan #14-16 and a few big Orange October Caddis still around in good enough numbers I would carry a Pupa and an Adult and use them as searching patterns.
Bull Trout get fired up in higher flows. Sure, streamers on a sink tip is a no brainer, but consider running a Balanced Leech or a Squirmy Worm or a MOP under the indicator too. It works.
More Reports
The Fly Fishers Place Reports
for Sunday, April 30th, 2023Deschutes River- Lower: The Lower Deschutes is really high this morning
Crooked River: The Crooked River is definitely out for fishing for a bit
Fall River: Fall River is the one place that is in the very best shape of the all the rivers and streams in our region
The Fly Fishers Place Reports
for Sunday, April 23rd, 2023Deschutes River- Lower: Lower Deschutes is All Open Now
Metolius River: The Metolius is fishing pretty well
Crooked River: The Crooked River is back in shape after last weeks
Fall River: Hatch activity has been good on the river
Deschutes River: The Middle Deschutes from Bend to Lake Billy is in good shape
McKenzie River: The McKenzie is in good shape now
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Conditions Update
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