The Metolius is still running higher than average, but not so high that you’d not want to fish there. Below Bridge 99 there have been some early emergences of Green Drakes. Not many so far, but the trend is good for a good season of hatches, and by Memorial Weekend I believe we are going to be Full-On Drake action everyday for 3+ weeks. So far it seems like the fish are only interested in taking an emerging profile Green Drake. That’ll change when the hatch improves soon.
PMD’s #16, BWO’s #18-20, Caddis Tan #16 & Grey #12-14. If you are in the right place at the right time the dry fly fishing is indeed picking up. Eddies and softer pools are where the fish are going to be sipping dries.
Here is a good place to get the flows for the Allingham area https://flyfishersplace.com/our-waters/metolius-river/
Here is a link to the gauge by Lake Billy Chinook https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/14091500/#parameterCode=00060&period=P7D
You can really see the drop on that second link. The Allingham gauge was slow to budge until today, but for now is coming down slowly.
Most of the best fishing has been on nymphs. Stonefly Nymphs, Perdigons, Jigs, 2 Bit Zebra Midge, 2 Bit Hooker, Squirmy Worms, Black Balanced Leeches and Rainbow Warrior.
Look, the Met is not too high to fish, it’s just a little different and requires a different approach and respect for entering it. Go.