One report on the Metolius doesn't suffice the imminent desire to fish the gin clear water in August. And, the last report I reviewed dated July 22nd, the beginning of the Golden Stones. A little time has passed since an updated post on the Met and i'm here to give it to ya.
After shootin' the bull with a manager at the Camp Sherman shop, his focus seemed to be more on Rusty Spinners, PMD's, and Caddis rather than the elusive Golden Stone. My experience with the Golden Stone thus far this year has been fairly decent, rising three to five fish in two different outings to the canyon. Which, for all practical purposes, is highly strange considering I saw maybe five adults flying the entire afternoons spent scouring the banks. If you think the Metolius is the type of freestone river that urges anglers to wait until you see a rise to cast a dry, you may be in the wrong place. My experience has been with the hatch, when a large Green Drake or Golden Stone makes its first appearance dancing above the water I switch to that pattern immediately. And chances are, if your patience and placement all align, you just may find a strike that will surely suprise the hell out of you.
The Golden Stones are more prominent in the upper part of the river, above the confluence with Jack Creek, noting the slighest increase in water temperature above said confluence. The Golden Stones are a warm weather breed, waiting until the sun is beaming to make themselves be known. Above the Camp Sherman store, the numbers of Golden's were far superior than below Allingham and beyond. So try and concentrate your focus on this upper stretch of river if large flying Golden's are your preference. And the trout, with all their elusive spledor, may seem apprehensive to devour, but patience is the game. Present the offering with a lengthened leader, 10ft. plus, and cast upstream and into seams and where rocks and insects collect.
Golden Stone nymphs are producing as well. Drop a red serendipity or red copper john below the stone in the early morning hours. Bull trout are finding residency within the system as of lately so you may hook into a feisty Bull if you're lucky. Keep changing patterns if you are fishing a Golden adult, don't be set on a particular wing design or color, the variation is what really appeals to these redbands. Also, make sure you fish a lot of water, as is typical with most trout fishing on the Metolius. And by and large, enjoy your time spent on one of Oregon's natural splendors, the mighty Metolius.
