On the Metolius River this week the fishing was good again, which is not a surprise due to the time of year and the biological/entomological reasons that occur as we race in to the spring season. It is just 2 weeks from the beginning of March! And with BWO hatches coming off well most afternoons you should find ample opportunity fish the cycle of that hatch from pre-hatching nymphs, to emergers and cripples, duns popping about 1 or 2, and spinners are something to keep an eye on from 9 am to dusk as these late winter days the spinners do their thing when the weather is right, and not necessarily at dusk or dawn when the summer weather is consistent and we are so used to fishing the Rusty Spinners. Anyway, put 2 or 3 BWO Spinners in the box in both #18 and #20’s and keep an open mind to put your face close to the water and look for them gently floating by.
I’ll tell you that if the fish are sipping something that you can’t figure out what it is on the Metolius, start putting your face close to the water to look for any sign of spent mayflies. If not that, if the rise form is gentle it could be a mayfly emerger or a midge, if the rise form is a little more aggressive it is likely a caddis emerger.
It won’t be a surprise to me if one of you writes me or texts me (thank you for those that do this with your reports for the week) and says you saw Cinygmula’s hatching. Yes, it is a tad early but it is time to get some #14-16 yellow comparaduns, sparkle duns, knock down duns and soft hackles in the box for the Metolius.
BWO’s for sure, midges highly likely, Cinygmula’s are coming so be ready. Caddis absolutely too. October Caddis and their smaller cousins the Silver Stipe Sedge and Snow Sedge offer some dry fly options, but super good deep pupa options throughout the day. Gavin from the shop was telling me he did well on the tan Fat Ass Caddis Pupa this week too.
Adding some nymphs to the list, don’t forget how well Red and Orange nymphs are on the Metolius. Here are 3 to have: Red Lightning Bug, Red Copper John and Fire Starter Jigs. Speaking of jigs, a PCP, Jig Napoleon and Olive Perdigon too. Golden Stones, Eggs, 2 Bit Hookers and Micro Mays in the BWO size. Also, a lot of Metolius regulars swear by a bead head soft hackle PT. I personally love that fly too and prefer it on the jig hook with the copper bead. With the Kokanee fry hatch just happening, small silvery streamers like the Crostons Minnow are a good one too. (the fact I have been killing it in Patagonia over the past 2 months with that fly has me really extra excited about it)