The Metolius Green Drake hatch went to level 5 this week. Some incredible hatch days out there my friends. We probably have another full week of Drakes, and then they will be done until September. PMD hatches are good, late afternoon and early evening BWO hatches are important to look for, lots of caddis going on in the afternoon and especially the evenings, and rusty spinners at dusk.
For Drakes, the river from Canyon Creek downstream to Candle Creek is where you will find them. I keep hearing from people, “well Jeff, I was out there and didn’t see a single drake”. The 2 questions I ask are, where on the river were you, and what time were you there?
If it was the Upper River above Gorge Campground, and if it was not some time between 2 and 5 pm, unfortunately you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. And we all know how that turns out.
Speaking of the Upper River, that is a darn fine place to fish too! I love the PMD and Caddis hatches up there, and within a week or so we ought to see some meaningful golden stones hatching above Camp Sherman. Nymphing through this entire stretch is a great.
I was in the shop yesterday and heard a conversation about Bull Trout that was interesting. The customer was surprised there were Bull Trout in the river this time of year. There are always resident Bull Trout in the Metolius, from top to bottom. And the bonus is there is a run of fish that come up from Lake Billy Chinook in late summer to spawn in the tributaries, and they hang out in the big river for most of the fall and prey on smaller trout, whitefish, sculpins and the eventual kokanee run that comes up about the 1st part of October. So, this is a good time of year to fish Bull’s, and you might be really surprised where you will find some nice ones hiding.