Metolius was Great for Some and Tough for Others

Metolius River - Metolius Springs, OR (Jefferson County)


by The Fly Fishers Place
8-17-2024
Website

The Metolius River was great for some, and tough (bewildering might be a better term) for others. Gavin//Camp Sherman Dad was out this week and had very good afternoon PMD hatches and used the “one wing wonder” also known ad the KD Dun #16 Yellow. Besides that he was using a Soft Hackle PT he tied with really good success as a dry/dropper rig. 
I am usually not a fan of a dry/dropper on the Met, as I worry about drag, but Gavin and old Trout Dirty himself (Aaron from the shop) might be changing me mind on that front. They both do dry/dropper rigs and catch fish. 
For me, I typically like and fish a 16 to 20 foot leaders for #12-22 dry flies, with 5x, 6x and 7x tippet on the fine dry flies, so I’ll need to adjust that set up to hang a bead head PT behind my dry. 
The Yellow Micro Caddis have not exploded yet, but are showing signs of life. #20 Tan Elk Hair, and a yellow Iris Caddis are the 2 I like. Also starting to see more #14-16 Tan Caddis, #16-18 Olive Stones and more BWO’s. Things I expect to see more of really soon: Mahogany Duns #16, Ameletus #14 olive mayfly, Salmonflies here and there with short burst of important or unimportant hatches all over the river. 
In about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks the Flav’s and Fall Green Drakes and Giant Willow Flies will be in the mix, as well as the 1st October Caddis of the year which we usually see in late August near Bridge 99. Big Orange Pupa is the fly of choice. 
Bull Trout Fishing is good, right now mostly on big streamers including our triple articulated leeches, the Milkshake, Dolly Llama, Sparkle Minnow and Circus Peanut. Also, smaller Euro Jig Streamers like the Sir Mix a Lot is a great choice. 
Plenty of good nymphing hours during the day. We’ve been hitting it with Euro flies for the most part. 
And don’t forget about good days with the Golden Stone Hatch on the river from the Riverside CG to Gorge and even some in the Canyon and around the Hatchery and Bridge 99.