I’ll start with excellent hatch news on the Metolius, and that is the Green Drakes are definitely on the water now, with fair to good afternoon hatches occurring between 2 and 5. The hatch won’t be 3 hours long, but there will be a “session” to fish within that period of the day. From now through the 3rd week of June this will be a daily occurrence and it’s time to get your drake game on. We had some customers yesterday that rushed back to the shop to get more Extended Body Drakes, which is often a good pattern, also get Film Critics, Sparkle Duns, Comparaduns and Parachutes.
PMD’s #16 are also a good to great hatch now. Sparkle Duns, Film Critics, KD Duns, Winger and Captive Duns for the transitional patterns, and comparaduns and parachutes for the adults. Longer evening fishing hours will bring good opportunities for Rusty Spinners.
We expect to see some good caddis hatches with the hot weather. Make sure you have some Iris Caddis, Corn Fed, X Caddis and Missing Links in the afternoons and evenings this week.
If you’re out in the morning before the hatches match your nymphs to what you know will be in the hatch cycle later that day. #16 Brown Nymphs, #16 Red Nymphs, #8-10 Drake Nymphs, #14-16 Caddis Pupa, #6-10 Golden Stone Nymphs (not hatching yet, but always a great nymph).
Some nice Bull Trout have been caught this week on big streamers. Not a super surprise, but worth sharing if you’re planning to head out there with the big rod.
Please don’t forget the seasonal closure on the upper river from Allingham to the Headwaters. It opens on the 22nd of May and it’s important to let that spawning area marinate to perfection.