Metolius River

GAGE LOCATION

DAY/YEAR
GRAPHS

CURRENT
STAGE/FLOW

WHAT TIME

Metolius near Grandview

7 30 year

1.25 / 1450

5 pm

CITY

Sisters

NOAA

Accuweather

TWC

HATCH

NYMPH/
LARVA

PUPA/
EMERGER

DUN/
ADULT

EGG-
LAYER

Blue-winged olive

Cinygmula

Golden stonefly

Midge

The river is open all year below Allingham Bridge. Winter fishing is sporadic, but it's available. Because the Metolius is spring-fed, it's seldom affected by winter storms. On the other hand, it is at a high elevation and the cold air temperature can make a difference. As the temperature drops to near freezing or below, the best fishing will be from noon to 2:00 p.m., with marginal fishing an hour either side of that.

Usually, the Metolius fishes well until around mid-November, after which it slows down. If it's not too cold, you might find an occasional left-over hatch of the cream-colored small western Gordon quill (Cinygmula). You can match it with a size 16 or 18 Sparkle Dun or similar fly. Some lingering pale morning duns and caddis were also available at the end of October.

You may also find some remnant October caddis early in the month. Use a size-8 orange-brown Stimulator and a thin leader. I've even used a 7X tippet with this big fly; it's no fun to cast, but it fishes well once it's on the water.

The Metolius also gets hatches of silver stripe caddis, which are another species of the genus Dicosmoecus, the same genus as October caddis. The silver stripes will be on the river in small numbers from now through spring. They are size 10-12. Both adult and pupa forms will take trout. Blue-winged olives will hatch most afternoons. Use a Sparkle Dun, Baetis Cripple, or Parachute Baetis (size 18 or 20) during the hatch, and a size-18 gold-ribbed Hares Ear (fished on the bottom) when there isn't a hatch.

Midges are also important, so bring midge pupa patterns when you come. You'll also find small caddis: tan size 16, olive size 18, and black size 20.

Kokanee are spawning this month, and trout will take the drifting roe. An Egg Fly drifted near the bottom will work to your advantage. The egg "hatch" is not a major factor here, but you might want to have a few patterns in your fly box in case nothing else is working.

Nymphs will be the most consistent producers, with double-bead stonefly nymphs with a Pheasant Tail or Hares Ear on a dropper being the best rig.

Bull trout are active in the river and may be hooked on large streamers.

For more on November tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report.