Metolius River Oregon Hatch Chart

Central Oregon, in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Range near Camp Sherman and Sisters. The Metolius River is one of the most unique trout streams in the Pacific Northwest - a large spring creek emerging fully formed from the base of Black Butte and flowing northeast through ponderosa pine forest to Lake Billy Chinook. The river runs cold and clear year-round at a constant 46-48 degrees regardless of season, producing a fishery unlike anything else in Oregon.

Check current Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations before you go. The Metolius has strict special regulations including artificial lures and flies only, catch-and-release for bull trout at all times, and seasonal closures on portions of the river. Regulations change - verify current rules for your target section before fishing. Bull trout are a protected native species on the Metolius and must be handled with extreme care if caught.

Shop by type: dry flies, nymphs, Euro nymphs, hoppers and terrestrials, streamers.

The river

The Metolius springs from the ground at the head of the river near Camp Sherman - a rare sight where a full-volume river simply appears from underground springs at the base of Black Butte. The river flows approximately 29 miles through the Deschutes National Forest before entering Lake Billy Chinook. The upper river near Camp Sherman is the most accessible and heavily fished water. The middle and lower sections below Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery become progressively more remote and receive less pressure.

The constant spring temperature of 46-48 degrees is both the Metolius's greatest asset and its primary challenge. The cold water keeps fish metabolisms lower than most Oregon rivers - fish feed selectively and deliberately, and the river demands patience and precise presentation. The consistent temperature also means the Metolius never experiences the late-summer warming that affects other central Oregon streams, and it fishes well year-round for the prepared angler.

Bull trout are the signature species - large, deep-bodied, aggressive predators that can exceed 20 inches and take streamers and large dry flies with authority. Brown trout and rainbow trout share the system. The Metolius is not a numbers river - it is a quality fishery where a handful of large, difficult fish in a day is a successful outing.

Year at a glance

Month Primary hatches Also carry Typical sizes
Jan Midges Small nymphs, streamers 20-26
Feb Midges, BWO Small nymphs, streamers 18-24
Mar BWO, midges Early caddis, streamers BWO 16-20, midge 20-24
Apr BWO, caddis March Brown, streamers BWO 16-20, caddis 14-16
May Caddis, BWO, PMD start March Brown, streamers Caddis 14-16, BWO 16-20
Jun PMD, caddis, golden stone Yellow sally, streamers PMD 16-18, caddis 14-16
Jul PMD, caddis, hoppers start Yellow sally, ants, streamers PMD 16-18, hopper 8-12
Aug Caddis, hoppers, PMD Ants, beetles, trico Hopper 8-12, caddis 14-16
Sep BWO, caddis, hoppers Mahogany dun, streamers BWO 16-20, hopper 8-12
Oct BWO, midges October caddis, streamers BWO 16-20, midge 20-24
Nov Midges, BWO Small nymphs, streamers 18-24
Dec Midges Small nymphs, streamers 20-26

January

The Metolius fishes year-round and January is midge and streamer season. The constant spring temperature keeps fish active even in the coldest weather - a significant advantage over nearby freestone streams that slow dramatically in winter. Focus on the slower runs and deeper pools adjacent to the main current. Streamers produce bull trout and large browns throughout the winter months when other Oregon rivers are unfishable.

February

BWO begin on overcast afternoons in February - the Metolius's spring-fed stability allows hatches to begin earlier than most Oregon rivers. Midges continue through the day. The upper river near Camp Sherman can be crowded on mild February weekends - the lower sections below Wizard Falls see significantly less pressure in winter.

  • BWO - 18-22 on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO when fish are rising.
  • Midges throughout. Red zebra midge subsurface.
  • Streamers for bull trout in the deeper runs. Streamers.

March

BWO hatches strengthen through March on the Metolius. The ponderosa pine forest along the river creates natural shade and overcast conditions that suit BWO emergence even on partially clear days. Early caddis begin by late month. Streamers remain productive for bull trout throughout. March is an excellent month to fish the Metolius - good hatches, minimal crowds, and the forest setting at its most dramatic.

  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger on overcast afternoons.
  • Midges throughout. Red zebra midge.
  • Late March: first caddis - 14-16 on warm afternoons.
  • Streamers for bull trout. Streamers.

April

Caddis build through April and become the primary evening hatch. BWO continue on overcast afternoons. March Browns appear on the broader water. The Metolius does not experience significant runoff - the spring-fed constant flow makes April reliably fishable when the nearby Deschutes and other central Oregon streams are affected by snowmelt. One of the best months to visit for consistent dry-fly fishing.

  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO on overcast days.
  • Caddis - 14-16. Elk hair caddis afternoons and evenings.
  • March Brown - 12-14 on the broader sections.
  • Streamers for bull trout throughout.

May

The dry-fly season builds quickly in May. Caddis are the workhorse hatch - evening caddis hatches on the Metolius can be prolific and produce rising fish throughout the river. BWO on overcast days. PMDs begin by late month on the flatter sections. Golden stones begin in the riffles below Wizard Falls. May is one of the best months on the Metolius with excellent hatches and lighter pressure than summer.

  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair. The primary Metolius dry-fly hatch.
  • BWO on overcast days. Parachute BWO.
  • Late May: first PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun.
  • Streamers for bull trout throughout. Streamers.

June

Peak dry-fly season opens in June. PMDs become the primary morning hatch on the flatter sections near Camp Sherman. Caddis evenings are outstanding. Golden stones are present in the faster water below Wizard Falls - one of the few central Oregon rivers with a meaningful golden stone hatch. Yellow sallies in the riffles. The Metolius sees its heaviest pressure in June and July - fish the lower sections below Wizard Falls for solitude and large bull trout.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings on the flat sections. Add a PMD nymph dropper.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Golden stone - 6-10 in faster water below Wizard Falls.
  • Yellow sally - 14-16 in the riffles on warm afternoons.
  • Streamers for bull trout in the deeper canyon runs.

July

PMDs continue into July and hoppers begin along the grassy and forested banks by mid-month. Caddis evenings remain the most reliable dry-fly option. The cold spring water keeps the Metolius fishing well in July when other central Oregon streams suffer from summer warming - a major advantage of the spring-fed system. Ants and beetles fill the midday window. July is the busiest month on the upper river.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Early hoppers mid-month - hoppers and terrestrials along the forested banks.
  • Yellow sally - 14-16 in the riffles.
  • Streamers for bull trout - the cold July water keeps them active all day.

August

Hopper season peaks in August. The forested banks of the Metolius concentrate hoppers and other terrestrials along the bank vegetation - fish them with confidence along the undercut banks and log jams. Caddis evenings continue. The cold spring water is the Metolius's greatest August asset - bull trout and large browns remain active throughout the day while fish in warmer Oregon rivers become sluggish. Tricos begin on the flatter upper sections by mid-month.

  • Hoppers - 8-12. Hoppers and terrestrials along the forested banks and undercut logs. Hopper-dropper with a small nymph.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Ants and beetles midday. Hoppers and terrestrials.
  • Trico - 20-24 early morning on flat upper sections.
  • Streamers for bull trout throughout the day - cold water keeps fish aggressive.

September

September is the finest month on the Metolius. Crowds thin after Labor Day, BWO return with the cooling air temperatures, hoppers continue through mid-month, and the ponderosa forest turns golden. The fall BWO hatch is outstanding - the shaded canyon character of the Metolius produces consistent overcast conditions that trigger dense afternoon hatches. Mahogany duns add an afternoon option. Streamers produce the largest bull trout and browns of the year.

  • Hoppers through mid-September. Hoppers and terrestrials.
  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger on overcast afternoons.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast afternoons.
  • Streamers for large bull trout and pre-spawn browns - streamers in the deeper runs and below log jams.

October

Outstanding fall fishing on the Metolius. BWO hatches strengthen through October - dense afternoon hatches with selective fish and very few other anglers. October caddis add a large dry-fly option on warmer afternoons. Brown trout pre-spawn aggression peaks in October and streamers produce the largest fish of the year. One of the most underrated October destinations in Oregon.

  • BWO - 16-20. The dominant hatch. Parachute BWO.
  • October caddis - 8-10 on warmer afternoons. See dry flies.
  • Midges - 20-24 picking back up. Red zebra midge.
  • Streamers for pre-spawn browns and aggressive bull trout - streamers in the deeper runs.

November

BWO and midges on the upper sections. Streamers remain productive for bull trout and large browns throughout November - the constant spring temperature keeps the Metolius fishable long after other Oregon rivers shut down. Very few anglers, excellent conditions for those willing to make the drive. November on the Metolius is a well-kept secret among central Oregon regulars.

  • BWO - 16-20 on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO.
  • Midges - 20-24. Red zebra midge subsurface.
  • Streamers for bull trout and large browns year-round. Streamers.

December

Back to the winter midge and streamer program. The Metolius's constant spring temperature is at its most valuable in December - fish remain active when nearby rivers are frozen or unfishable. Focus on the slower runs adjacent to the main channel. December on the Metolius with a streamer rod for bull trout is a unique and rewarding winter experience.

  • Midges - 20-26. Red zebra midge and small nymphs. Midge cluster dry when fish are dimpling.
  • BWO on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO.
  • Streamers for bull trout and browns year-round - streamers in the deeper runs and below log jams.

A western dry and nymph assortment covers the core season. Add a dedicated streamer selection for bull trout year-round - the Metolius is as much a streamer fishery as a dry-fly river. The river rewards the angler who slows down, reads the water carefully, and accepts that large, selective fish on cold spring water will refuse more flies than they eat. A refusal from a 20-inch Metolius brown trout is worth more than a hookup on most other Oregon rivers.