The Metolius has been consistent with a great BWO hatch and plenty of Bull trout to go around. The Kokanee are all done for the year but the whitefish should still be spawning and dropping eggs. The trout key into these eggs pretty quick and will strategically position behind the spawning whities for a chance at some easy meals. Some of the bull trout are dropping back into the reservoir but there are still tons of fish in the upper section below Allingham bridge.

For trout I would be nymphing under an indicator utilizing plenty of split shot to get the flies down fast. A big Golden Stone or October Caddis is a good bet as your first fly year round, followed with either an egg or small mayfly pattern. The river is fast and currents can be super pushy so I’m always making sure to have lots of weight in my rig including lead wrapped bugs and bead head nymphs. The Blue winged olive hatch has been consistent and will still happen right around one on most days. The trout can get picky during this hatch and it’s not uncommon to see fish refusing naturals on the surface. I start with 5x and work down from there usually getting them on slim, low profile patterns like hackle stackers or thorax BWO’s.

The Bulls are still hanging around and are spread out from Allingham bridge down to bridge 99. I suspect some of the fish are starting to drop back towards the lake but there are still lots of big fish around eating streamers. We have been getting them on lots of white and tan patterns imitating either whitefish or half dead Kokanee.

Suggested Dries: Purple Haze #18-22, Thorax BWO #18-22, Hackle Stacker #18-22, Olive Haze #18-20, Tilt Wing Dun Mahogany Dun #16, Chubby Chernobyl #16.

Suggested Nymphs: Lex’s Improved Golden Stone #8-10, Davies Neo Twenty Incher #10-12, Panty Dropper Jig #14-16, Jigged Prince #14-16, Twisted May black or olive #14-16, Rainbow Warrior pearl, red or black #16-20, Micro May olive #16-20, Lightning Bug black or red #16-20, Tung. October Caddis #10-12, Nitro Caddis Pupa #16-18, Electric Rock Worm #16-20