Recommend you start with a search on this site for more info. It's a unique fishery and very challenging. Also read up on the OR regs for fly fishing only waters to keep yourself legal. Good luck.
Metolius River fishing?
I'm going to be down in Oregon later this month and I might try to hit up the Metolius. Has anyone fished there? Is there a fly shop nearby that you would recommend? From what I've read, there can be some fairly big fish so I might bring my 6wt to handle the big-uns. Does this river fish like the Yakima or is it fairly easily wadeable? Love to hear some thoughts! (not looking for locations for good fishing, i'd rather spend the time hunting for my spots).
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I'm with troutpocket, the Met has been discussed many times and there's some good info in the threads. The fly shop in Sisters, OR has the most current info in regards to the river.
Did a search for Metolius River in the Fly Fishing Forum but didn't turn up anything (prior to posting). I'll do a search for MetoliusRecommend you start with a search on this site for more info. It's a unique fishery and very challenging. Also read up on the OR regs for fly fishing only waters to keep yourself legal. Good luck.
Thanks for the advice!
There's the fly shop in Sisters and also the one at Camp Sherman. The people working the Camp Sherman store fish the Metolius fairly regularly.... almost every day.
The Crooked River over south of Prineville is easier to catch fish on but it's about 70 miles away from the Camp Sherman campgrounds.
On wading the Metolius: Use a staff as sometimes the bottom isn't as close as it appears. Water is very clear.
The Crooked River over south of Prineville is easier to catch fish on but it's about 70 miles away from the Camp Sherman campgrounds.
On wading the Metolius: Use a staff as sometimes the bottom isn't as close as it appears. Water is very clear.
6wt rod seems overkill. I have had good success with nymphs on the metolius. Using a 2 fly set up with the end fly as a big heavy fly to help get your nymph deeper can be effective.
There's always this thread:
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/threads/the-metolius.108712/
Unless you plan to fish for the large bull trout, you don't need a 6 wt.
The river starts out small and is skinny so wading in the upper river is no problem in the least... as the river grows in size it also becomes more swift and deep so some places are not easy to wade but all in all, you can wade most of the places you want to fish.
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/threads/the-metolius.108712/
Unless you plan to fish for the large bull trout, you don't need a 6 wt.
The river starts out small and is skinny so wading in the upper river is no problem in the least... as the river grows in size it also becomes more swift and deep so some places are not easy to wade but all in all, you can wade most of the places you want to fish.
I'll bring my 5 and 6, just in case, you never know! I'm not sure what spots we'll fish, but i'm going to shoot for the upper portion, above Bridge 99. I read through your post; great information and pics.There's always this thread:
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/threads/the-metolius.108712/
Unless you plan to fish for the large bull trout, you don't need a 6 wt.
The river starts out small and is skinny so wading in the upper river is no problem in the least... as the river grows in size it also becomes more swift and deep so some places are not easy to wade but all in all, you can wade most of the places you want to fish.
I've caught trout from Alaska to Colorado on a fly rod, lots of them.
But never on the Metolius.
Consider the Deschutes or some of the skinnier blue lines of Central Oregon.
But, give it a whirl and report, maybe some advice for me if you do well.
But never on the Metolius.
Consider the Deschutes or some of the skinnier blue lines of Central Oregon.
But, give it a whirl and report, maybe some advice for me if you do well.
G
The Met is a beautiful river and the camping is amazing. It's also the toughest fishing river in an area full of rivers.
The Deschutes or Crooked are better options if you want to catch fish, the Metolius if you want the challenge.
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The Deschutes or Crooked are better options if you want to catch fish, the Metolius if you want the challenge.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Overall, it sounds like, as a beginner fly fisherman, I should try someplace else down here. 
Give the Metolius a try, it is beautiful. I really enjoyed hiking its banks along trails away from the highly pressured upper meadows. You can find feeding trout fairly easily on the lower river along the current seams of softer water. Casting flies to them is tricky, but can be very rewarding. Bring a 6 weight to the lower river, the current and bigger rainbows are strong.
The Met is a special place...but you better be ok with not catching anything. I'd say that happens more frequently than not for the avg fisherman.
It's hard to pick a bad place in that area though, as all those rivers are great.
It's hard to pick a bad place in that area though, as all those rivers are great.
I've heard this saying, "that the Metolius River is the most beautiful river that you'll get skunked at". I've only fished drys on that river, and only one fish of size. But, it is a neat river and worth walking and taking in the beauty of it.
Stop in at the Fly Fishers Place in Sisters. Jeff Perin, the owner, is very knowledgeable. Tell him Dennis sent you -- and buy a hat.
This is so true. Of the three rivers in the area, the Metolius, the part of the Deschutes that one crosses on the way to the Crooked and the Crooked river, the Metolius is the prettiest. Don't forget your camera. I think the Crooked would be the easiest to catch fish on and the Deschutes that one crosses appears to be an easy wading area. There's a small state park where you can park. I forget the name of it but you will spot it if you drive to Bend or the Crooked.I've heard this saying, "that the Metolius River is the most beautiful river that you'll get skunked at". I've only fished drys on that river, and only one fish of size. But, it is a neat river and worth walking and taking in the beauty of it.
If you go to Bend check and see if the Payne rod store is open. That guy moved the rod making equipment out from New Jersey and originally set up in Sisters. He's in Bend now. My guess is there's more bamboo fans there.
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