Still a few Green Drake stragglers hatching

The Fly Fishers Place

Report Date:

http://www.flyfishersplace.com/index.php

On the Metolius River there are still a few Green Drake stragglers hatching, and Chester tells me he’s been having good fishing on green drake spinners in the morning. Usually by the 1st to 4th of July drakes go kaput until September, but maybe due to how late they were to hatch this June we will get another full week? Whatever happens, for the next few months a drake nymph like a 20 incher, or a TJ Hooker is a good fly to have, and for the next few days a green drake emerger and dun and spinner is recommended to be at the ready. As the drakes disappear PMD hatches will remind you why you want to spend a summer day or evening on the Metolius. Another mayfly to watch for, usually after 5 PM is a small Blue Wing Olive. Why do you suppose they hatch later like this in the summer? Usually you’ll find them in shadier side bank lines and eddies because during the heat of summer the shade creates a little humidity and coolness critical for taking flight off the water. 
Make sure to have #16 PMD and #20-22 BWO’s this week in nymphs, emergers, cripples and duns and for sure add a rusty spinner #16 if you’ll be in the river until dusk. 
Caddis hatches have been pretty good, kind of depending on the area you’ll be. The upper river and below bridge 99 is where some of the best caddis dry action will be found. Mid river around the hatchery, maybe. Maybe not. Could depend on the day and the evening weather. Pupa is good everywhere. In a month from now, the caddis will begin to explode mid river. 
Golden Stones and Yellow Sally’s and Little Olive Stones are all on the increase. In July it is usually the very best month for Yellow Sally’s and these can be all the way through the system from the Blue Hole to the hatchery to Candle Creek. I can recall evening sessions after work that I have seen the fish keyed on nothing but Sally’s in July. I used to believe Olive Stones were really only important in September, but now it’s a super hatch experience on our river and you need a pattern to match it all summer long. 
Most of the Golden Stone hatch action is from Gorge CG to the headwaters now. A Clarks Stone, Norm Woods or Chubby is a good bet, and while I am not an advocate of a dry dropper for the middle and lower river areas due to more complex currents and drag on both flies, in the upper river a dry/dropper is $$$$. 
All the standard nymphs like PT’s, Perd’s, Walts, Golden Stones, Zebra Midges, Tan Pupa, 2 Bit’s, 20 Inches, Frenchie and Rainbow Warrior will be good to have tied on the line at different times during the day.
There are some good numbers of Bull Trout in the river now and nice fish are being caught on various streamers, with a White Dolly Llama, Sparkle Minnow (articulated), Milk Shake and our giant black conehead streamer. 
* Gavin and I met on the river last night and collectively caught fish on an Iris, Rusty Spinner, Missing Link and CDC Henry’s Fork Caddis most likely taken as a Little Olive Stone.

More Reports


The Fly Fishers Place Reports
for Friday, July 3rd
The Fly Fishers Place Reports
for Saturday, June 27th
Metolius River: Green Drake is winding down
Deschutes River- Lower: Good days to enjoy
Deschutes River: Middle D is a good choice
Deschutes River- Upper: Nice catches of quality browns
Deschutes River- Upper: Upper D Headwaters stretch is wonderful
Crooked River: Crooked is fishing quite well
Fall River: The Fall River is good
McKenzie River: Good for our guides this week
East Lake: East Lake was good this week
Paulina Lake: Paulina was good
Little Lava Lake: Little Lava was really good this week
Hosmer Lake: Hosmer is good
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Can be good most of the time
Three Creek Lake: Very productive most days


ABOUT US

Fly Fishing Reports is the newest member of the SportfishingReportsTM Network of fish reports, boats, landings, guides, locations and more. We open our doors to the Fly Fishing outdoor enthusiasts who have a passion for the sport.