The Metolius River has really been good, and with all kinds of flies and tactics depending on the time of day, the section of river you are on, and even the weather at the moment.
Yesterday there were a lot of #16 tan caddis down by Bridge 99, and while the fish were not up to the dries they were eating the Pupa. Check out this new fly called the Jeff’s Improved Fat Ass Caddis that was “born” on the Met.

October Caddis and some other Amber colored #12-14 caddis and Grey #12-14 are out and about too. It sure has been a Caddis-y spring! I love it.
Mayfly hatches, especially Blue Winged Olives #18-20 are what seems to be really bringing the fish up to the top for emergers, cripples and duns. Remember to use a Suppleflex 12′ 6x leader for this, as it makes a giant difference in your slack line presentation and the drift you achieve. On spring creeks that is mission critical.
DOn’t count the cinygmula’s out yet (yellow #14-16) but keep an eye out in the next week or 2 for the overlap of PMD’s #16. Both yellow mayflies, each have a different nymph type and habitat. Cinygmula’s have 2 tails and PMD’s have 3 and that is an easy way to distinguish between the 2 when a masking hatch is occurring.
Rusty Spinners are also important to add to the mix, and look for the spinner fall at any point during day light hours at this time. Remember in the summer Rusty’s are usually at dusk or dawn.
Besides the Caddis Pupa you want Perdigons of various colors and bead sizes but Olive and Brown and Orange are fave’s, and Walt’s Worms. We have a big Pink Bead Walt’s type fly called a Sexy Betty’s that is worth a dip. Golden Stones, Green Drake Nymphs, 2 Bit Hookers, Micro May’s for PMD and BWO and Zebra Midges.
More friends of mine have seen a few Green Drakes hatch this week and fish eat them. Look, we are a long way out for the “hatch” but keep a few big bugs in the box and use as a searcher for now, and hope you get the unicorn moment, rainbows and all.