This article was published on: 03/4/22 11:14 AM
By Mark Morical
The Metolius River is perhaps best known for its superb dry-fly fishing in the summertime. But many anglers find it difficult to stay away during the offseason, and the hardiest of them make their way to the Metolius throughout the wintertime.
Even when the fishing is challenging, some time spent on this picturesque river formed by springs under Black Butte can offer rejuvenation from winter doldrums. Also, anglers can expect to find many fishing holes to themselves this time year on the river just northwest of Sisters.
The Metolius, restricted to catch-and-release fly-fishing, is closed upstream of Allingham Bridge until late May. But until then, that leaves about 20 miles of river available for fishing, some of the best of which is located on the stretch between Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery and Bridge 99.
The river is home to native rainbow trout, bull trout, kokanee and whitefish. The rainbows on the Metolius average about 14 to 15 inches long, while the bull trout average 6 to 7 pounds. Both species will be mostly located in deeper pools from now through the winter. Rainbow trout can be found in the back eddies year-round on the Metolius.
For those fishing for hefty bull trout, finding water that is about 8 or 9 feet deep, with logs or boulders nearby, is the best approach. Streamers and nymphs tend to work well for catching bull trout on the Metolius throughout the winter.