Metolius Report, June 13-16

garyk · 06-17-2003, 09:40 PM

Just finished a very nice four day trip to Metolius.

On Friday the 13th we arrived at Bridge 99 just before 3pm, intending to hike up to the Nature Conservancy stretch. The weather was cool, and the moon was at full. I�d hoped the cool weather would spur the Green Drake hatch but it was very sparse beginning at 3:45.

We worked a few holes, which produced nothing, and headed upstream into the meadows. By now, about 4:30 we saw a very few drakes. Mrs.Garyk took a spot that had produced before while I continued up. I heard the fish rise, back where Mrs.Garyk was and in short order she caught the nice fat redside that was just shy of 17� using a Bunse drake. The drakes faded before 5pm and we turned downstream, looking for risers, found none. The big bow was the only trout of the afternoon; a whitey prevented me from having a total skunking.

Saturday the 14th. After spending the night at Waltraut�s B&B, we started on the upper river and found the trout to be persnickety, I missed one, land a whitey then Mrs.Garyk put on a black articulated leech and quickly caught two Bull Trout, the largest being 21�.

As afternoon approached we headed downstream, stopped at Cedar-Pine hole but two guys were there, and then down to the gate at Br.99, surprised to find four vehicles already there. We walked down a bit stopping where we couldn't see anyone. The trout though had seen a few fake flies and wouldn�t commit to taking the Bunse. I switched to a Canard wing emerger that I�d tied for the March Brown hatch. Even though it was tied for the Mckenzie � the Metolius fish like it a lot. I quickly caught 3 and missed more. After we worked the hole pretty good we moved to some nearby runs. The Bunse, a Canard wing dry drake, and MB emerger produced three more for me. Mrs.Garyk nailed one and then a sneaky half round rock in the run got her -- pretty wet and the digital camera too. Again the hatch lasted from about 3:45 to just before 5, then the switch was thrown and everything stopped. The PMDs or Rithro's just weren't thick enough to get the trouts' attention.

Sunday the 15th, We took a break and took some frineds to see the major landslide .5 miles below Br.99. We hiked up the slide�s gully, going a while and gaining about 400� of elevation. From where we stopped we could see it began much higher, perhaps very near the crest of Green Ridge. Walked back upstream along the river, looking for risers and only saw a few little ones, the drakes were very sparse.

Monday the 16th. Started on the upper river where I got no Bulls but one decent �bow, a little guy, and a whitey using a #16 peacock soft hackle and a #18 beadhead caddis. Next we hit the corner at Metolius River Lodges, again no Bull�s but Mrs.Garyk got a �bow. Our plan was to fish the Gorge, so on to Canyon Creek where I did pretty well in the slot, catching three. Black ant and beetle did best. Up at the stream juncture Mrs.Garyk got a nice 13� Brown on a rubber legged hairs ear; thus completing her Metolius River trout slam of redband, bull and brown. Down through the Gorge we picked the side pockets where I quickly got one on a Bunse, but that was all. I never saw a drake in the air and there was just a few sporadic rises from little ones taking some PMD types. Needing to leave at 5, we hustled back to the top and the Canyon Creek slot. The first hit broke off my ant & beetle combo. Fishing a beetle produced one more before it was time to quit.

The golden stones are just starting on the upper river, so by early July the action on them should definitely pick up. Saturday was really crowded so if you have the choice, I'd definitely try to avoid the weekend; weekdays have a fraction of the pressure.

Tanner · 06-18-2003, 10:09 AM

Gary,
Thanks for the great report. Sounds like you and the Mrs. had a great time. I am getting ready to head out this afternoon till Sunday and fish the Deschutes around Sunriver, above Wickiup, Little Cultus and Hosmer Lakes and probably one or two other bodies of water.

Thanks again.

garyk · 06-18-2003, 01:37 PM

Tanner,

We were talking about where to go for some lake fishing - so many of the formerly great lakes are in severe decline, we were kinda stumped.

Over on the Westfly site, there's a good report about East Lk., looks like the best bet.

Have fun!

Steelie28 · 06-18-2003, 02:37 PM

Great report garyk. I'm braving the crowds up there this weekend with my better half. Hear of any bear reports/sightings while you were there? Last time I camped at Candle Creek I awoke to some fairly large bear tracks going right thru my camp and about 5-7 ft. from the tent. By the looks of it, I think it was stalking a small doe. Anyway, I've got some large bunny leeches tied up for the bullies.

Steelie28

garyk · 06-18-2003, 03:41 PM

Steelie28, regarding bears. They are a given in that locale. They live there, it's their home, they're always around.

Bears also move through the campgrounds on the upper river, one night in August, a blackie that lived on Green Ridge walked across Allingham Bridge.

Folks would be very suprised as to how many are around there. The only thing that surprises me is that there are not more 'Yogi Bear' type picnic basket/cooler raids.

Anyway, keep a clean camp, don't annoy the bears, C&R a few Bulls, and enjoy the river!

TillamookChinook · 06-18-2003, 11:18 PM

Great Report. It's almost like being there, except you actually caught some fish.

Steelie28 · 06-20-2003, 02:10 PM

That's why I was somewhat surprised with the tracks, because I have not heard of many "problem" bears on the Metolius. I've had my share of run-ins with the big guys up in Alaska, mostly on the Kamishak fishing silvers. It wasn't uncommon to see 12-14 grizzlies a day on that river. Bear "etiquette" is now routine for me. Can't wait to hook into a big bully this weekend.

Steelie28

PittsburghD · 06-25-2003, 09:38 PM

Nice article.

---D