Metolius River and Camp Sherman got around 30+ inches of snow from the storm. We’d gotten used to easy access and trails and roads along the river, so that has changed the approach. The road to Bridge 99 is currently snowed in. Roads are safely plowed to the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery and along the campground road from Camp Sherman Store down, and of course up to the Highway.
Access along the river will be snowy but good. Felt soles will be a drag with snow sticking, so wear rubber soles.
Things I expect to see:
1) BWO hatches being good about 1:30 to 2:30 or 3 PM. With the freezing weather I imagine a lot of bugs were waiting to hatch on a better day. Better days (for bugs) are here again. Knock Down Duns and Film Critics are top choices.
2) The 1st days of good Little Black Stone hatches will happen.
3) October Caddis will be important, but I also believe we are going to continue to see fish eating smaller amber and tan pupa (#14-16) as other smaller caddis including Snow Sedges and Silver Stripe Sedges will ramp up for the rest of winter. Pupa Pupa and Pupa with occasional adult patterns needed.
4) Not many Bull Trout have seen a fly in well over a week. Think they might be rested and relaxed? Streamers are always good, but I like a well presented nymph or leech for January and February too. Red Ice Cream Cone is a good BT Nymph in the winter.
5) Kokanee eggs take about 100 days to hatch. That puts Alevins in the drift later this month and throughout February. Gotta be a feeding opportunity there! Tie some #14 Nymph Hooks with Orange 3.5 mm Tungsten Beads with White Marabou or White Craft Fur Tails and a stand of Pearl Flash on each side. Dead drift deep and slow, they are bad swimmers!
6) I still say the top 2 flies in the Metolius in the Winter are Orange Eggs and Golden Stone Nymphs! Don’t leave home without ’em. But…
Perdigons, Walts, Zebra’s, Frenchies, 2 Bits, Blue Prince and Micro May’s should be in the box for sure.