The Metolius is in a period of a lot of change with fall weather and less daylight hours, hatches are less but still some good ones to look forward to. Blue Wing Olives #18-22 are the primary mayfly hatch from now until spring, but mix in some yellow #16 Cinygmula for the month of November and a decent chance of seeing the end of the PMD’s until the end of the month. Keep in mind the hatches that were coming out at 1 in the afternoon will be noon now, so get out there and get fishing earlier.
On the caddis side October Caddis in a #8 will be out and frequent all month and last until spring. There are some grey caddis #12-14 and some tannish/amber caddis #16 hatching, but keep in mind the pupa is probably going to be most effective during the deep fall and winter time caddis hatches.
Midges become quite important in the Fall and Winter and a Zebra Midge in Red or Black is a heck’uva nymph any day of the year, also as I write this I can remember some amazing days on green pupa this time of year. A little green ice cream cone is a good one!
Stonefly nymphs in Golden especially #8-12 will be a top choice for big nymphs! Big Black Stones are great too and offer the angler the most weight options for fishing deep.
Eggs are killer. SO many kokanee just spawned and the fish are all used to seeing eggs in the drift.
Of course the crew have been fishing some killer perdigons and jigs with super success.
Bull Trout fishing is good and this is personally my favorite time of year to swing or strip streamers.
Please remember the River from Allingham Bridge to the Headwaters is now closed until 5/22/24