The Metolius is heading into October with a great mix of fall fishing opportunities. Cooler weather and  stable flows continue to provide favorable conditions, with pocket water, deeper slots, and softer edges around structure all worth exploring.

Word is Green Drakes are continuing to provide good afternoon opportunities, with spinners also worth watching for during warmer mornings. PMDs, BWOs, and Mahogany Duns remain important, while the caddis mix includes smaller tan and gray varieties along with the increasingly relevant October Caddis. 

Subsurface fishing continues to offer plenty of options, with Perdigons, soft hackles, caddis pupa, mayfly nymphs, stonefly patterns, and egg patterns all worth having in the rotation. Bull trout fishing has reportedly been particularly good, with larger streamers continuing to produce around deeper pools and structure. Kokanee, Chinook, and bull trout spawning activity makes it especially important to watch for redds and avoid disturbing spawning fish.

Recommended Flies

• Green Drake (#10–12)

• Flav (#14)

• BWO Film Critic (#18–20)

• Mahogany Dun (#16)

• Tan X-Caddis (#16)

• October Caddis (#6–8)

• Little Olive Stone (#16–18)

• October Caddis Pupa (#8–10)

• Brown/Olive Perdigon (#16–18)

• Olive Sculpzilla (#4–6)